The 2003–04 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 37th season of play. For the third season in a row, the club placed last in the Atlantic Division and did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third year in a row for the first time since the 1985–86 season and the 1987–88 season. In an 18-game losing streak, they went 0–17–1 (one overtime loss). In the first 62 games, they were 11–42–5–4 for 31 points. In their final 20 games, they were 12–5–3–0, ultimately finishing with a 23–47–8–4 record for a last place finish in the conference for the first time since the 1984–85 season and in the NHL for the first time since the 1983–84 season. Their record losing streak would not be matched until the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season by the Buffalo Sabres. By then, tie games would be out of the picture.
Offseason Head coach Rick Kehoe was fired on April 15, 2003. Team broadcaster and former Penguins player Eddie Olczyk was hired as his replacement on June 11.
Regular season The Penguins struggled defensively, finishing 30th overall in the NHL in goals allowed, with 303. They struggled in short-handed situations, allowing the most power-play goals in the League, with 84, and finishing 30th overall in penalty-kill percentage, at 77.24%. Furthermore, they allowed the most short-handed goals in the NHL, with 15.
Final standings
Schedule and results
| 1 || 10 || Los Angeles Kings || 3–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (16,986) || 0–1–0–0 || 0 ||
| 2 || 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 OT || Philadelphia Flyers || Wells Fargo Center (19,035) || 0–1–1–0 || 1 ||
| 3 || 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Montreal Canadiens || Bell Centre (18,859) || 0–2–1–0 || 1 ||
| 4 || 18 || Detroit Red Wings || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (13,421) || 1–2–1–0 || 3 ||
| 5 || 22 || Carolina Hurricanes || 1–1 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,425) || 1–2–2–0 || 4 ||
| 6 || 24 || New Jersey Devils || 2–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,281) || 1–3–2–0 || 4 ||
| 7 || 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–7 || New York Islanders || Nassau Coliseum (11,746) || 1–4–2–0 || 4 ||
| 8 || 29 || New York Islanders || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,377) || 1–4–3–0 || 5 ||
| 9 || 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–0 || Chicago Blackhawks || United Center (15,121) || 2–4–3–0 || 7 ||
| 10 || 1 || Boston Bruins || 2–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,226) || 3–4–3–0 || 9 ||
| 11 || 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Air Canada Centre (19,237) || 3–5–3–0 || 9 ||
| 12 || 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Florida Panthers || BB&T Center (18,161) || 3–6–3–0 || 9 ||
| 13 || 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–9 || Tampa Bay Lightning || Amalie Arena (18,262) || 3–7–3–0 || 9 ||
| 14 || 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (17,960) || 3–8–3–0 || 9 ||
| 15 || 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–1 OT || Buffalo Sabres || First Niagara Center (18,002) || 4–8–3–0 || 11 ||
| 16 || 15 || Florida Panthers || 3–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,004) || 4–9–3–0 || 11 ||
| 17 || 19 || Minnesota Wild || 6–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,957) || 4–10–3–0 || 11 ||
| 18 || 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 OT || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center (16,810) || 4–10–3–1 || 12 ||
| 19 || 22 || Ottawa Senators || 1–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,233) || 5–10–3–1 || 14 ||
| 20 || 26 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–1 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,014) || 5–10–4–1 || 15 ||
| 21 || 28 || New York Rangers || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (15,908) || 5–11–4–1 || 15 ||
| 22 || 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Carolina Hurricanes || PNC Arena (14,881) || 5–12–4–1 || 15 ||
| 23 || 1 || Atlanta Thrashers || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (9,576) || 6–12–4–1 || 17 ||
| 24 || 3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || Wells Fargo Center (18,972) || 6–13–4–1 || 17 ||
| 25 || 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Edmonton Oilers || Skyreach Centre (16,839) || 6–14–4–1 || 17 ||
| 26 || 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–6 || Calgary Flames || Scotiabank Saddledome (15,009) || 6–15–4–1 || 17 ||
| 27 || 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 OT || Vancouver Canucks || Rogers Arena (18,630) || 6–15–4–2 || 18 ||
| 28 || 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Atlanta Thrashers || Philips Arena (15,039) || 6–16–4–2 || 18 ||
| 29 || 13 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,989) || 7–16–4–2 || 20 ||
| 30 || 16 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,554) || 8–16–4–2 || 22 ||
| 31 || 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 OT || Carolina Hurricanes || PNC Arena (11,028) || 8–16–4–3 || 23 ||
| 32 || 20 || Atlanta Thrashers || 7–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (13,683) || 8–17–4–3 || 23 ||
| 33 || 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Montreal Canadiens || Bell Centre (21,273) || 8–18–4–3 || 23 ||
| 34 || 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 OT || Ottawa Senators || Canadian Tire Centre (18,316) || 8–18–5–3 || 24 ||
| 35 || 27 || New Jersey Devils || 2–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (12,139) || 8–19–5–3 || 24 ||
| 36 || 29 || Chicago Blackhawks || 0–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (16,120) || 9–19–5–3 || 26 ||
| 37 || 31 || New York Islanders || 6–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,939) || 9–20–5–3 || 26 ||
| 38 || 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Nashville Predators || Bridgestone Arena (16,238) || 9–21–5–3 || 26 ||
| 39 || 3 || New York Rangers || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,078) || 9–22–5–3 || 26 ||
| 40 || 5 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,216) || 9–23–5–3 || 26 ||
| 41 || 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center (11,948) || 10–23–5–3 || 28 ||
| 42 || 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || Boston Bruins || TD Garden (12,914) || 10–24–5–3 || 28 ||
| 43 || 10 || Montreal Canadiens || 8–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (15,286) || 10–25–5–3 || 28 ||
| 44 || 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–1 || Philadelphia Flyers || Wells Fargo Center (19,542) || 11–25–5–3 || 30 ||
| 45 || 13 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,039) || 11–26–5–3 || 30 ||
| 46 || 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Minnesota Wild || Xcel Energy Center (18,568) || 11–27–5–3 || 30 ||
| 47 || 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Washington Capitals || Verizon Center (16,168) || 11–28–5–3 || 30 ||
| 48 || 20 || New Jersey Devils || 3–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,146) || 11–29–5–3 || 30 ||
| 49 || 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–6 || Ottawa Senators || Canadian Tire Centre (16,777) || 11–30–5–3 || 30 ||
| 50 || 24 || Colorado Avalanche || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (16,704) || 11–31–5–3 || 30 ||
| 51 || 27 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 6–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (9,391) || 11–32–5–3 || 30 ||
| 52 || 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Tampa Bay Lightning || Amalie Arena (15,847) || 11–33–5–3 || 30 ||
| 53 || 31 || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (12,965) || 11–34–5–3 || 30 ||
| 54 || 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Boston Bruins || TD Garden (15,692) || 11–35–5–3 || 30 ||
| 55 || 3 || Montreal Canadiens || 4–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,041) || 11–36–5–3 || 30 ||
| 56 || 10 || Boston Bruins || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,741) || 11–37–5–3 || 30 ||
| 57 || 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Florida Panthers || BB&T Center (15,863) || 11–38–5–3 || 30 ||
| 58 || 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 OT || St. Louis Blues || Scottrade Center (19,812) || 11–38–5–4 || 31 ||
| 59 || 16 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 8–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,527) || 11–39–5–4 || 31 ||
| 60 || 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || New York Islanders || Nassau Coliseum (13,570) || 11–40–5–4 || 31 ||
| 61 || 20 || Florida Panthers || 2–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,917) || 11–41–5–4 || 31 ||
| 62 || 22 || Ottawa Senators || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (11,780) || 11–42–5–4 || 31 ||
| 63 || 25 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 OT || Phoenix Coyotes || America West Arena (14,712) || 12–42–5–4 || 33 ||
| 64 || 27 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || San Jose Sharks || SAP Center at San Jose (17,496) || 12–43–5–4 || 33 ||
| 65 || 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 OT || New York Islanders || Nassau Coliseum (15,218) || 13–43–5–4 || 35 ||
| 66 || 2 || New York Islanders || 3–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,821) || 13–43–6–4 || 36 ||
| 67 || 4 || Nashville Predators || 9–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (9,507) || 13–44–6–4 || 36 ||
| 68 || 6 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (14,286) || 14–44–6–4 || 38 ||
| 69 || 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–4 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (18,200) || 15–44–6–4 || 40 ||
| 70 || 9 || Dallas Stars || 0–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,302) || 16–44–6–4 || 42 ||
| 71 || 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Air Canada Centre (19,411) || 17–44–6–4 || 44 ||
| 72 || 14 || Philadelphia Flyers || 3–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,907) || 17–44–7–4 || 45 ||
| 73 || 16 || Washington Capitals || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,982) || 18–44–7–4 || 47 ||
| 74 || 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–6 || New Jersey Devils || Izod Center (13,239) || 18–45–7–4 || 47 ||
| 75 || 19 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (10,098) || 19–45–7–4 || 49 ||
| 76 || 21 || New York Rangers || 3–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (12,307) || 20–45–7–4 || 51 ||
| 77 || 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (17,902) || 21–45–7–4 || 53 ||
| 78 || 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Buffalo Sabres || First Niagara Center (18,333) || 21–46–7–4 || 53 ||
| 79 || 27 || Buffalo Sabres || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (12,964) || 21–46–8–4 || 54 ||
| 80 || 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Washington Capitals || Verizon Center (13,417) || 21–47–8–4 || 54 ||
| 81 || 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || Atlanta Thrashers || Philips Arena (18,854) || 22–47–8–4 || 56 ||
| 82 || 4 || Washington Capitals || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Civic Arena (16,124) || 23–47–8–4 || 58 ||
Legend:
Player statistics Skaters
Regular season Player 80 16 36 52 -37 38 75 16 34 50 -24 24 81 22 21 43 -23 64 66 19 21 40 -22 18 73 16 18 34 -46 54 82 9 20 29 -30 30 † 25 7 17 24 -5 14 47 11 12 23 -8 16 60 9 13 22 -14 67 ‡ 61 6 15 21 -27 38 ‡ 47 5 16 21 -16 50 82 4 15 19 -18 40 82 7 9 16 -27 65 † 44 3 11 14 -11 38 † 13 6 6 12 3 0 ‡ 22 4 8 12 -16 16 25 3 7 10 -6 20 79 1 9 10 -36 127 ‡ 52 1 8 9 -8 27 10 1 8 9 -2 6 82 3 5 8 -17 62 16 3 4 7 -16 8 † 19 5 1 6 0 31 16 3 2 5 -5 27 52 2 3 5 -23 105 † 15 2 3 5 -4 6 71 1 3 4 -19 109 3 2 1 3 -1 0 49 1 2 3 -10 85 13 1 2 3 2 4 18 1 1 2 -6 14 4 0 1 1 0 6 2 0 0 0 0 17 5 0 0 0 -7 2 5 0 0 0 -3 2 Total 190 332 522 — 1,230
Goaltenders Regular season Player 40 37 2212:35 9 24 5 138 3.74 1179 0.883 1 0 0 6 22 17 1067:03 7 9 0 53 2.98 574 0.908 1 0 0 2 21 20 1154:02 4 14 2 70 3.64 675 0.896 1 0 0 0 8 8 485:37 3 4 1 28 3.46 260 0.892 0 0 0 0 1 0 32:40 0 0 0 1 1.84 19 0.947 0 0 0 0 Total 82 4951:57 23 51 8 290 3.51 2707 0.893 3 0 0 8 †Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only. ‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
Awards and records Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 1700 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 4–4 tie with the New York Islanders on October 29.
Awards