The Stanley Cup Returns to Hockeytown

It's been an incredible year for the Detroit Red Wings. During the regular season, they held an impeccable win record, winning 66% of their contests. Their 54 wins, the league's highest record of the season, was honored when they were awarded the President's Trophy for the league's best record for 2007-2008.

They continued their high statistical win record into the post-season, winning 73% of their Stanley Cup conference games. Winning was only the cusp of the history the Red Wings were making this season.

For the first time ever, a team has proven that hockey is a globalized sport. The Wings were led by a European born and trained hockey player, a Swede, defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. This win became the first time in NHL history that a European player captained a Stanley Cup winning team. Another Swede, Henrik Zetterberg, was named the Most Valuable Player and recipient of the Conn Smythe trophy.

The Red Wings were criticized by many as being too soft, too old (with players such as Chris Chelios who turned 46 in January), and too European. But it was the puck possession of the team (which became the trademark coaching style of Mike Babcock), the leadership of the old, and the talent and training of the European players that put those naysayers to shame. All of those criticisms laid upon the Red Wings were all of the reasons why they won the Stanley Cup.

The Red Wings ended Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals with a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Red Wings started off the scoring in the first period with a power play goal from Brian Rafalski at 5:03. They would make it into a two goal lead in the second period at 8:07 with a backhanded goal from Valtteri Filppula.