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On
paper, the St. Louis Blues have one of the best
lineups in the NHL. Barring a number of key injuries
and goaltending issues earlier in the season,
the Blues could have challenged for the Presidents'
Trophy.
Captain
Chris Pronger missed all but five games this season
recovering from knee and wrist injuries. Forwards
Keith Tkachuck, Doug Weight and goaltender Brent
Johnson all had significant stints out of the
lineup nursing a variety of ailments.
Centre
Pavol Demitra and blueliner Al MacInnis did a
formidable job leading the Blues through the team's
multiple bumps and bruises. Demitra had a career
year, topping the Blues with 93 points. MacInnis
was second in team scoring with his highest points
total (68) in nine seasons with St. Louis.
Goaltending
was the Blues' biggest uncertainty throughout
the season. St. Louis led all teams by using seven
netminders in 2002-03. Johnson missed the first
2 1/2 months with an injury and failed to grab
the undisputed No. 1 job from Fred Brathwaite
upon his return. After trying three other minor-league
goalies and even bringing veteran Tom Barrasso
out of retirement, the Blues eventually swung
a trade-deadline deal with the New York Islanders
for former Stanley Cup champion Chris Osgood.
He won his first three games with the Blues, but
entered the playoffs on a four-game winless skid.
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