The 2003–04 Phoenix Coyotes season was their eighth season in the National Hockey League, the franchise's 25th season in the NHL and 32nd overall. For the second year in a row, the Coyotes failed to make the playoffs. It would be the first season the franchise would have playing their home games at the Glendale Arena. However, because the Glendale Arena didn't open until December 26, the first 13 home games were played at America West Arena. The Coyotes went 5–14–5–4 for 19 points in their new home arena.
Off-season Phoenix went into the talent-rich 2003 NHL entry draft without a first or second-round draft choice, both having been traded in part for Daymond Langkow in 2001 and Brad Ference at the 2003 trading deadline, respectively. They made their first selection in the third round, 77th overall, selecting centerman Tyler Redenbach. None of the eight players they drafted played a single NHL game.
Defenseman and team captain Teppo Numminen was traded to the Dallas Stars on July 22. Forward Shane Doan was named his replacement on the eve of training camp.
Regular season Though the Coyotes finished last in their division (13th in the Conference), for a remarkable span in late December and early January, the team attracted the attention of the sports world, as goaltender Brian Boucher set an NHL record for consecutive shutouts. From December 31 to January 9, Boucher and the Coyotes recorded five consecutive shut-out victories, outscoring their opponents 18–0 during the span. The streak was broken on January 11 in a game against the visiting Atlanta Thrashers, when Randy Robitaille scored on Boucher at 6:16 of the first period. Boucher's streak lasted 332:01, surpassing Montreal Canadiens goaltender Bill Durnan's 1949 record by over 20 minutes.
The Coyotes struggled after the streak, winning only six of their remaining 40 games. A winless streak of 15 games from February 21 to March 21 is the longest in franchise history. Head coach Bob Francis was fired on February 24 and replaced by assistant coach Rick Bowness, who served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season and throughout the 2004–05 NHL lockout.
Final standings
Schedule and results
|1||October 10, 2003||2–1 OT||align=left|St. Louis Blues (2003–04)||1–0–0–0 ||
|2||October 12, 2003||2–0||align=left|@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)||2–0–0–0 ||
|3||October 15, 2003||2–1||align=left|@ Florida Panthers (2003–04)||3–0–0–0 ||
|4||October 16, 2003||1–5||align=left|@ Tampa Bay Lightning (2003–04)||3–1–0–0 ||
|5||October 18, 2003||4–5||align=left|Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)||3–2–0–0 ||
|6||October 23, 2003||4–5||align=left|Toronto Maple Leafs (2003–04)||3–3–0–0 ||
|7||October 25, 2003||4–4 OT||align=left|@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04)||3–3–1–0 ||
|8||October 26, 2003||3–3 OT||align=left|@ Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)||3–3–2–0 ||
|9||October 28, 2003||2–2 OT||align=left|Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)||3–3–3–0 ||
|10||October 31, 2003||1–4||align=left|Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)||3–4–3–0 ||
|11||November 1, 2003||3–7||align=left|@ Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)||3–5–3–0 ||
|12||November 6, 2003||1–2||align=left|@ Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)||3–6–3–0 ||
|13||November 8, 2003||4–3 OT||align=left|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04) ||4–6–3–0 ||
|14||November 9, 2003||1–2 OT||align=left|@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04) ||4–6–3–1 ||
|15||November 13, 2003||3–2 OT||align=left|Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)||5–6–3–1 ||
|16||November 14, 2003||3–3 OT||align=left|@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)||5–6–4–1 ||
|17||November 16, 2003||2–2 OT||align=left|@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)||5–6–5–1 ||
|18||November 19, 2003||5–4||align=left|St. Louis Blues (2003–04)||6–6–5–1 ||
|19||November 21, 2003||0–5||align=left|San Jose Sharks (2003–04)||6–7–5–1 ||
|20||November 23, 2003||0–1||align=left|@ Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)||6–8–5–1 ||
|21||November 24, 2003||2–5||align=left|@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)||6–9–5–1 ||
|22||November 27, 2003||6–4||align=left|Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)||7–9–5–1 ||
|23||November 30, 2003||3–3 OT||align=left|@ Boston Bruins (2003–04)||7–9–6–1 ||
|24||December 2, 2003||3–1||align=left|@ New Jersey Devils (2003–04)||8–9–6–1 ||
|25||December 4, 2003||3–2||align=left|@ Buffalo Sabres (2003–04)||9–9–6–1 ||
|26||December 5, 2003||2–3||align=left|@ Philadelphia Flyers (2003–04)||9–10–6–1 ||
|27||December 7, 2003||2–2 OT||align=left|@ Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)||9–10–7–1 ||
|28||December 10, 2003||2–1||align=left|Dallas Stars (2003–04)||10–10–7–1 ||
|29||December 12, 2003||3–3 OT||align=left|Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)||10–10–8–1 ||
|30||December 15, 2003||2–5||align=left|Minnesota Wild (2003–04)||10–11–8–1 ||
|31||December 18, 2003||4–4 OT||align=left|@ Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)||10–11–9–1 ||
|32||December 20, 2003||1–1 OT||align=left|@ St. Louis Blues (2003–04)||10–11–10–1 ||
|33||December 22, 2003||3–3 OT||align=left|@ Nashville Predators (2003–04)||10–11–11–1 ||
|34||December 23, 2003||2–1||align=left|@ Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)||11–11–11–1 ||
|35||December 27, 2003||1–3||align=left|Nashville Predators (2003–04)||11–12–11–1 ||
|36||December 29, 2003||2–3 OT||align=left|New York Rangers (2003–04)||11–12–11–2 ||
|37||December 31, 2003||4–0||align=left|Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)||12–12–11–2 ||
|38||January 2, 2004||6–0||align=left|@ Dallas Stars (2003–04)||13–12–11–2 ||
|39||January 4, 2004||3–0||align=left|@ Carolina Hurricanes (2003–04)||14–12–11–2 ||
|40||January 7, 2004||3–0||align=left|@ Washington Capitals (2003–04)||15–12–11–2 ||
|41||January 9, 2004||2–0||align=left|@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04)||16–12–11–2 ||
|42||January 11, 2004||1–1 OT||align=left|Atlanta Thrashers (2003–04)||16–12–12–2 ||
|43||January 13, 2004||1–4||align=left|Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)||16–13–12–2 ||
|44||January 15, 2004||3–4||align=left|@ Nashville Predators (2003–04)||16–14–12–2 ||
|45||January 16, 2004||3–3 OT||align=left|@ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)||16–14–13–2 ||
|46||January 21, 2004||2–4||align=left|San Jose Sharks (2003–04)||16–15–13–2 ||
|47||January 22, 2004||2–1||align=left|@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04)||17–15–13–2 ||
|48||January 24, 2004||5–2||align=left|Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)||18–15–13–2 ||
|49||January 27, 2004||1–2||align=left|Calgary Flames (2003–04)||18–16–13–2 ||
|50||January 29, 2004||1–4||align=left|Ottawa Senators (2003–04)||18–17–13–2 ||
|51||January 31, 2004||4–5||align=left|Dallas Stars (2003–04)||18–18–13–2 ||
|52||February 2, 2004||3–3 OT||align=left|Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)||18–18–14–2 ||
|53||February 4, 2004||4–5 OT||align=left|Florida Panthers (2003–04)||18–18–14–3 ||
|54||February 5, 2004||0–5||align=left|@ San Jose Sharks (2003–04)||18–19–14–3 ||
|55||February 11, 2004||3–5||align=left|@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)||18–20–14–3 ||
|56||February 13, 2004||2–5||align=left|New York Islanders (2003–04)||18–21–14–3 ||
|57||February 14, 2004||3–2||align=left|Dallas Stars (2003–04)||19–21–14–3 ||
|58||February 16, 2004||2–4||align=left|@ St. Louis Blues (2003–04)||19–22–14–3 ||
|59||February 18, 2004||2–5||align=left|@ Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)||19–23–14–3 ||
|60||February 20, 2004||3–2||align=left|Columbus Blue Jackets (2003–04)||20–23–14–3 ||
|61||February 21, 2004||2–8||align=left|Nashville Predators (2003–04)||20–24–14–3 ||
|62||February 23, 2004||1–1 OT||align=left|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)||20–24–15–3 ||
|63||February 25, 2004||3–4 OT||align=left|Pittsburgh Penguins (2003–04)||20–24–15–4 ||
|64||February 27, 2004||2–7||align=left|Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)||20–25–15–4 ||
|65||February 29, 2004||2–4||align=left|@ Calgary Flames (2003–04)||20–26–15–4 ||
|66||March 2, 2004||4–5 OT||align=left|@ Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)||20–26–15–5 ||
|67||March 5, 2004||3–4||align=left|Montreal Canadiens (2003–04)||20–27–15–5 ||
|68||March 7, 2004||1–1 OT||align=left|Minnesota Wild (2003–04)||20–27–16–5 ||
|69||March 9, 2004||2–3||align=left|@ Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)||20–28–16–5 ||
|70||March 10, 2004||1–3||align=left|Los Angeles Kings (2003–04)||20–29–16–5 ||
|71||March 12, 2004||2–3||align=left|Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)||20–30–16–5 ||
|72||March 14, 2004||1–4||align=left|@ Colorado Avalanche (2003–04)||20–31–16–5 ||
|73||March 16, 2004||2–3 OT||align=left|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (2003–04)||20–31–16–6 ||
|74||March 18, 2004||1–1 OT||align=left|Detroit Red Wings (2003–04)||20–31–17–6 ||
|75||March 21, 2004||2–2 OT||align=left|@ Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)||20–31–18–6 ||
|76||March 22, 2004||3–2 OT||align=left|@ Minnesota Wild (2003–04)||21–31–18–6 ||
|77||March 24, 2004||0–4||align=left|Calgary Flames (2003–04)||21–32–18–6 ||
|78||March 26, 2004||0–3||align=left|San Jose Sharks (2003–04)||21–33–18–6 ||
|79||March 28, 2004||2–4||align=left|@ Edmonton Oilers (2003–04)||21–34–18–6 ||
|80||March 29, 2004||1–6||align=left|@ Vancouver Canucks (2003–04)||21–35–18–6 ||
|81||March 31, 2004||0–1||align=left|@ Calgary Flames (2003–04)||21–36–18–6 ||
|82||April 3, 2004||2–1 OT||align=left|Chicago Blackhawks (2003–04)||22–36–18–6 ||
Legend:
Player statistics
Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only. Player Regular season 19 RW79274168−1147 17 LW552428521146 11 C81213152440 23 D8163642−1148 77 C68111829−1993 24 C55111526−1030 49 LW61121325−536 29 RW5391423−536 15 D827142118 32 D8231720−4123 14 C5981018−820 8 RW6861117−842 89 C288715−816 16 C608614−1454 20 RW577613−722 5 D455712422 36 C414610−924 12 RW111910−110 18 LW69358−6110 4 D67246−1087 45 D63055−19103 28 RW35134−316 2 D14044−52 44 LW33123−7125 7 RW17202−76 39 C15112−320 1 G32022 8 2 D7022−44 3 D17011−510 13 C6011−36 57 D3000−12 35 G4000 2 33 G40000 2 21 C3000−12 1 G8000 0 30 G4000 0 6 D51000−1154 43 LW9000−40
Goaltending = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only. = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Coyotes only. Player Regular season 33 Brian Boucher4010191011501082.74.90652364 1 Sean Burke 3210155913842.81.90811795 1 Brent Johnson 8161243212.59.9140486 30 Jean-Marc Pelletier411084124.11.8570175 35 Zac Bierk4012108123.79.8890190
Awards and records
Awards TypeAward/honorRecipientRef League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Shane Doan NHL Defensive Player of the Week Brian Boucher (January 5) Brian Boucher (January 12) Team Hardest Working Player Award Cale Hulse Leading Scorer Award Shane DoanArizona Coyotes 2014–2015 Media Guide, p.290Man of the Year Award Shane Doan Tyson Nash Team MVP Award Shane Doan Three-Star Award Shane Doan
Records Brian Boucher set two modern day (since the 1943–44 season when the center ice red line was introduced) NHL records. From December 22, 2003, to January 11, 2004, Boucher went 332 minutes and 1 second without allowing a goal. From December 31, 2003, to January 9, 2004, Boucher recorded five shutouts in a row, which also set the modern day record for consecutive shutouts by a team.
Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Matthew Spiller October 10, 2003 Fredrik Sjostrom November 30, 2003 Erik Westrum March 7, 2004 Goran Bezina March 10, 2004 Mike Stutzel March 16, 2004
Transactions The Coyotes were involved in the following transactions from June 10, 2003, the day after the deciding game of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final, through June 7, 2004, the day of the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Final.
Trades