1996-97 Detroit Red Wings
| Stanley Cup Champions |
The 1996-97 Detroit Red Wings recorded 94 points and finished 2nd in the NHL's Central Division, behind the Dallas Stars. Detroit's 3rd-seed in the West was viewed as a disappointment after the team narrowly missed breaking the NHL's all-time record for most points in a season (132) a year before, but in the playoffs it became clear that Detroit was a force to be reckoned with. After dispatching the St. Louis Blues in a six-game first round series, the Red Wings swept Anaheim to set up a dream rematch between themselves and their bitter rivals, the Colorado Avalanche. After losing Game 1 on the road, Detroit asserted themselves against the team that had eliminated them the year before, culminating with a 3-1 win at home in Game 6 that clinched the series.
Finally facing Philadelphia in the Stanley Cup Finals, Detroit dominated, sweeping the Flyers and capturing the franchise's first Stanley Cup since 1955. For his stellar play, Red Wings G Mike Vernon won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. Sadly, six days after the deciding game, defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov (one of Detroit's famous "Russian Five") suffered a brain injury in a limousine accident, bringing his career to an abrupt end. It was a tragic conclusion to what had been the Red Wings' best season in 42 years, and Detroit dedicated the following season to Konstantinov. The 1996-97 season remains a breakthrough for Detroit, though, as they went on to win two more Cups (and counting) after snapping their 42-year drought.
[edit] The Offseason
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[edit] Preseason Predictions
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[edit] Regular-Season Highlights
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[edit] Opening Night
[edit] October
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[edit] December
[edit] January
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[edit] March
[edit] Stanley Cup Playoffs
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[edit] Player Data
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[edit] Best & Worst
- Team MVP: C Steve Yzerman
- Best Forward: C Sergei Fedorov
- Best Defenseman: D Nicklas Lidstrom
- Worst Player: F Tim Taylor
[edit] Salaries
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[edit] Trivia
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