He continued to play for the Wild through the 2003 playoffs scoring his first playoff goal, a game winner, in the turning point over the Vancouver Canucks in the Conference Semifinals. The Wild continued to make an unexpected run deep into the playoffs until they were eliminated by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the Western Conference Finals.
He scored his first playoff goal as a game-winner for the Wild during the 2003 playoffs, which occurred against the Vancouver Canucks in the Conference Semifinals. The team's performance continued to be impressive until they were eliminated by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the Western Conference Finals.