Detroit Red Wings Win – 4 times in 11 Years
I think NHL.com’s recap of the game and Stanley Cup win by the Detroit Red Wings summed it up the best –
“The Wings won the Presidents’ Trophy for the best record in the regular season and proved to be the best team in the postseason as well, utilizing the smart, selfless brand of puck-possession hockey that has become the trademark of coach Mike Babcock.”
Its the Holy Grail of sports … I would go as far to say that the Stanley Cup is the hardest fought for trophy in modern day sporting leagues. No other league puts so much behind the actual trophy and the pure emotion of winning it.
Every year I go through the ups and downs watching the playoffs … every year I tell myself to think without emotion when making my picks as to who I think will win … and every year, I fail. This year was no different. I am a Sharks fan at heart … and when they were eliminated from the playoffs in round 2 by Dallas (yes, I was as shocked as you all) I focused my energy and mojo and emotions towards the young Pittsburgh Penguins. Talk about a David and Goliath match-up … I was hoping Detroit would be eliminated early in the first or second round of the playoffs, but to no avail, they just kept chugging along. Hating Detroit is more like a fun past-time in my house … its like hating the USC football team. Why are they that good – what is their secret?
Detroit has now won the cup 4 times out of the past 11 years (1997 & 98, 2002, 2008).
Hats off to Henrick Zetterberg who not only netted the game winning goal, but also won the Conn Smythe trophey for MVP of the Post Season, a Swede himself was telling reporters after the game …
“It’s a great feeling, there’s been a lot of talk about that throughout the years. It’s great see him lifting the Cup and with the `C’ on his chest. It means so much for the team and the organization. He’s bringing it every night. He’s probably our best player every night. I’m really happy for him.”
Nicklas Lidstrom also put his star on the map by being the first European Captain to accept the cup from Bettman. Nicklas now has 4 rings in his Stanley Cup colllection but when asked about the experience Nicklas said -
“It felt great being the first guy to touch the Cup on our team, otherwise it felt the same as winning the previous ones, where you’re so happy with the end result. You start training camp with a goal, and that is to win the Stanley Cup. You talk about it throughout the season and the way you have to play to be able to be successful in the playoffs. And we had a good regular season, and we were able to carry that into the playoffs, too, and so that’s something I’m more proud the way the team played in the playoffs, too.”
And with that another chapter in the NHL quest for the Cup comes to an end. Now we take a few weeks to reminisce about our teams, our favorites, our passion for the sport. We talk about “What If’s” and we make excuses as to why Detroit was lucky enough to win another cup. For me – I am paitently waiting to see where Patrick Marleau ends up and what type of deal San Jose will get for him. I am also excited to see if the Sharks can pull the 1st round pick from Columbus (6thOverall (its the rumor going around now) ) … and if they will be able to open up enough cap space to keep Brian Campbell on the roster for next year. With Patty potentially leaving the Sharks, the next question will be “Who is going to be Captain?”
We’ll talk about that next time … Untill then, Congrats Detroit and to the Pittsburgh Penguins – You guys played one bad ass season and should be proud! I look forward to see what you all can do next year.
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Good recap. I think people picked anyone but Detroit because they seemed to sputter at the end of the year..and they are easy not to like. But top to bottom that is one superb roster. The switch to Osgood probably propelled them as well.
I have never really liked Detroit (I just hate Sidney Crosby more) but you have to respect the talent they have and the way that they can adjust the style of play – open ice, more European – or lock-down D, a la New Jersey Devils of years past – to win games.
A true Dynasty that doesn’t get enough credit outside of the hockey world.
Did you really use the phrase “Bad Ass” in a post?
Chris – your right, Detroit has shown us their expertise of the game year after year but how can you hate Sid the Kid “more” than the Detroit Red Wings? Is it because he is that good? Is it because he is one of those prodigies that come around every so often (Gretzky) … or is it because you think he is over hyped?
Either way … you can not take away his abilities, his style or his pure hockey playability. I am not going to hold the post season against him – after all, he is 19 and in his first Cup Final. I think Sidney will grow in this sport just like all the other “great” players.
Bill,
First off, top notch article.
Second, as much as I hate the dirty red wings I do have to admit they really dominated every game I saw them play. It was a very well earned cup.
Cheers,
Fred
You want to know why Detroit wins year in and year out?
Pavel Datsyuk – Drafted in the 6th round, 171st overall in 98.
Henrik Zetterberg – Drafted in the 7th round, 210th overall in 99.
Kris Draper – Drafted in the 3rd round, 62nd overall in 89.
Valtteri Filppula – Drafted in the 3rd round, 95th overall in 02.
Johan Franzen – Drafted in the 3rd round, 97th overall in 04.
Tomas Holmstrom – Drafted in the 10th round, 257th overall in 94.
Brett Lebda – Undrafted
Nicklas Lidstrom – Drafted in the 3rd round, 53rd overall in 89.
Chris Osgood – Drafted in the 3rd round, 54th overall in 91.
Perhaps their scouting department knows something that most don’t.