Can the Detroit Red Wings Bring the Stanley Cup Back to Hockeytown?

The Detroit Red Wings opened the post season with the best possible outcome, a win over the Calgary Flames Thursday night. After disappointing playoff performances in recent years, the Red Wings are hoping to break the streak of bad luck and hopefully bring the Stanley Cup back to Detroit, or as fans know it, Hockeytown. Can Detroit carry the momentum or will they see an early playoff exit once again?

Many thought that this season for the Wings would be considered a rebuilding year. With the retirement of the legendary captain Steve Yzerman and loss of veteran top scorer Brendan Shanahan to the New York Rangers, many had doubts of a positive season for the Wings. It was critical for newer and younger players to step up, both with leadership and offense.

At the Red Wings home opener against the Vancouver Canucks in October 2006, a new Red Wings captain was finally announced. After much speculation during the off season, Nicklas Lidstrom, a veteran defenseman and quiet leader, was awarded the prestigious C on his jersey. The pre-game event included introduction of the new alternate captains Henrick Zetterberg and Kris Draper as well as a ceremonial puck drop by former captain and newly appointed Red Wings Vice President Steve Yzerman.

The regular season for Detroit was phenomenal. Younger players like Johan Franzen, Jiri Hudler, Nicolas Kronwall and Valterri Filppula stepped up, complimenting the veterans like Mattieu Schneider, and Chris Chelios. Additionally Detroit picked up Dominik Hasek, the same seasoned top-notch goaltender that helped the Wings hoist the Cup in 2002. Hasek had most recently played for the Ottawa Senators, when a groin injury sidelined him. In order to keep Hasek healthy, he and Chris Osgood shared the goaltending duties during the regular season. Detroit also made a couple other player moves shortly before the NHL trade deadline. They acquired both Todd Bertuzzi and Kyle Calder, strengthening the team's physical presence on the ice.

After a season long chase for top spots in both the Central Division and the Western Conference with the Nashville Predators, Detroit finished the regular season 50-19-13. With 113 points, they tied the Buffalo Sabres for the points lead. Buffalo however had more wins and secured the Presidents Trophy, for the best regular season record. Detroit settled for the top seed in the Western Conference, gaining home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

With the regular season complete, the playoff pressure was on in Detroit. For the past three seasons, the Wings have had early playoff exits, getting eliminated in the first and second rounds each year. The Red Wings were set to draw the 8^th seed in the West, the Calgary Flames. Calgary, backed by top NHL goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, was poised to provide a physical and close series with the Wings. The two teams split their regular season meetings, each winning two of four games against each other.

Once again fans packed the Joe Louis Arena to cheer on their team for the playoff opener. Fans were excited to see Henrick Zetterberg, returning to the line up after missing the last couple months with an inflamed disc in his back. The teams appeared evenly matched for the first couple minutes. 4:51 into the first period rookie Valterri Filppula scored an even strength goal, giving the Wings the early lead, and the momentum. Nicklas Lidstrom added a second goal, converting on a power play opportunity, nearly four minutes later. Detroit continued to dominate the game, both offensively and physically, out shooting the Flames 46 to 20. Pavel Datsyuk and Mattieu Schneider added a goal each for the Wings in the second period. Datsyuk was especially appreciative of his goal, as it was his first playoff goal since May 2002. Dominik Hasek was brilliant in the net, shutting out Calgary until late in the third period. Calgary's Alex Tanguay capitalized on a power play chance at 14:55 in the 3rd to give the Flames their lone goal.

Overall the game was largely one sided, as far as the numbers, but quite close as far as physical elements. A total of 22 penalties were issued, many for roughing. "We're happy with the way we played," Lidstrom said after the game. "We didn't give them too many chances offensively, and we didn't have too many turnovers."

The Red Wings are now in a tough position to keep the momentum for the rest of the series. It is critical for Detroit to win game two, which is Sunday at 1PM in Detroit. If the Wings can get past Calgary, their chances of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown are excellent. When that day comes I will be proud to be the first fan to hurl a large slimy octopus onto the ice to celebrate the Championship.