koivu was expected to be out for the season but made a remarkable comeback in time for the last few games. fans gave koivu an eight-minute standing ovation when he skated onto the molson centre ice for the first time on april 9, 2002, in the team's 80th game of the season. koivu helped the team to gain a playoff spot and they went on to beat the top-seeded boston bruins in six games. for his courage and off-ice team leadership while undergoing cancer treatment, he was awarded the bill masterton memorial trophy following the 2002 playoffs. he followed up in 2002–03 by scoring what was then a career-best 71 points (21 goals and 50 assists).