On December 15, 2003, head coach Paul Maurice was fired after an 8–12–8–2 start to the season and replaced by former New York Islanders head coach Peter Laviolette.
[2] The Hurricane player who scored the final game-tying goal to make it 6–6 was defenseman Brad Fast, who was playing in his first and what proved to be his only NHL game.
[4] The Hurricanes finished 30th overall in the NHL in scoring for the second consecutive season, with just 172 goals for.
[5] Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
[46] The Lowell Lock Monsters are the Hurricanes American Hockey League affiliate for the 2003–04 AHL season.