The 2002–03 Chicago Blackhawks season was the Chicago Blackhawks' 77th season of operation. Finishing ninth in the Western Conference, they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Offseason Forward Alexei Zhamnov was named captain, following the departure of Tony Amonte. Regular season January 8, 2003: Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Michael Leighton gained a shutout in his NHL debut in a 0-0 tie versus the Phoenix Coyotes. Coyotes goaltender Zac Bierk earned his first career shutout, although it was not his NHL debut. It was the first time that two goalies in the same game both earned their first career shutouts. Final standings Schedule and results |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |1||L||October 10, 2002||1–2 || align="left"| @ Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) ||0–1–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |2||W||October 13, 2002||3–0 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (2002–03) ||1–1–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |3||W||October 17, 2002||4–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||2–1–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |4||L||October 19, 2002||2–5 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (2002–03) ||2–2–0–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |5||L||October 24, 2002||2–3 || align="left"| Minnesota Wild (2002–03) ||2–3–0–0 || |- align="center" |6||T||October 26, 2002||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (2002–03) ||2–3–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |7||W||October 27, 2002||3–2 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (2002–03) ||3–3–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |8||W||October 29, 2002||3–2 || align="left"| Columbus Blue Jackets (2002–03) ||4–3–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |9||W||October 31, 2002||2–1 OT|| align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (2002–03) ||5–3–1–0 || |- |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |10||L||November 2, 2002||1–5 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (2002–03) ||5–4–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |11||L||November 3, 2002||1–4 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) ||5–5–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |12||W||November 5, 2002||2–0 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (2002–03) ||6–5–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |13||W||November 7, 2002||5–0 || align="left"| Atlanta Thrashers (2002–03) ||7–5–1–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |14||W||November 9, 2002||3–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Tampa Bay Lightning (2002–03) ||8–5–1–0 || |- align="center" |15||T||November 11, 2002||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (2002–03) ||8–5–2–0 || |- align="center" |16||T||November 15, 2002||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Washington Capitals (2002–03) ||8–5–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |17||W||November 17, 2002||4–2 || align="left"| Nashville Predators (2002–03) ||9–5–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |18||L||November 19, 2002||1–3 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (2002–03) ||9–6–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |19||L||November 20, 2002||3–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (2002–03) ||9–7–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |20||L||November 23, 2002||1–3 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (2002–03) ||9–8–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |21||L||November 25, 2002||0–1 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (2002–03) ||9–9–3–0 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |22||W||November 28, 2002||4–2 || align="left"| @