Top 5 Red Wings Playoff Moments

When Lord Stanley’s Cup arrives along the Detroit Riverfront it is always treated with a red carpet ovation. Starting from 1936 and throughout recent years we’re fortunate to be graced with its presence thanks to the Red Wings. Here’s our countdown to the greatest playoff moments in modern Red Wings history.
[Special thanks to Brandon Schneider, a lifelong Wings fan and Detroit sports aficionado]

5. Yzerman Hands the Stanley Cup to Konstantinov

After sweeping the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center in 1998 the Wings secured the cup for a 2nd consecutive year. Konstantinov, an integral player in the “Russian 5″ (Fedorov, Fetisov, Kozlov, Larionov) was injured the previous June in a limousine accident. Though the Red Wings were on the road the building was filled with red and white apparel. During the 3rd period as the chants “Vladdie, Vladdie” grew louder he gathered his energy and stood up to acknowledge his fans. Shortly after the final buzzer sounded Detroit captain Steve Yzerman with the Stanley Cup in his hands handed it first to wheelchair-bound Konstantinov. The smile on Konstantinov’s face grew ever wider and a dry eye was nowhere to be found in the arena.

4. Igor Larionov Triple Overtime Goal

June 2002 — Larionov’s first goal of the game placed him in the record books as the oldest player (41) to score in a Stanley Cup finals game. By the time he scored his second the entire nation was one day older. Dedicated Wings fans and hockey fans alike tuned in for what was almost a 2nd regulation game as the goal registered 14:47 into the third overtime. The victory gave Detroit a 2-1 lead in the series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Red Wings would go on to win the series and secure another Stanley Cup.

3. McCarty’s Series Winning Goal in ‘97 Game 4

McCarty known more as the Red Wings enforcer than a skilled puck handler shot the puck past Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie Ron Hextall. The goal which put the Wings up 2-0 in Game 4 also brough back Lord Stanley’s Cup to Detroit for the first time in 42 years. McCarty later commented “Every blind squirrel finds a nut and I guess I found mine.”

2. Yzerman’s Double Overtime Goal vs. St. Louis

Three scoreless regulation periods and one OT in the 1996 Western Conference semi-finals Steve Yzerman’s shot from the neutral zone advanced the Wings to the Conference finals. Detroit Fans who attended the game recall it as one of the loudest decibel levels on-record at Joe Louis Arena. Earlier this year Yzerman recalled the moment with ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, here’s the moment in Yzerman’s own words:
“It was a rolling puck I picked up in the neutral zone, I think that was the second overtime, and I remember thinking in the first overtime, ‘I’m just going to start shooting the puck from wherever. I’m tired, and they’re not calling penalties.’

“The defensemen were just wrapping us up. I wasn’t getting a whole lot done, so I decided to start shooting all the time… I picked the puck up in the neutral zone, I think Murray Baron was the defenseman, and I thought, ‘Just shoot it and try to get it past his feet and not hit him.’ Sure enough, I found a clear path, and it found the top corner. It was kind of a lucky shot because I was just trying not to get it blocked. That was my only playoff overtime goal.”

1. Yzerman Hoists the Stanley Cup For the First Time

After a decades-long dry spell for the Original Six franchise the Detroit Red Wings won the cup and Captain Steve Yzerman finally held the Stanly Cup with pride. Yzerman who was the Wings’ youngest captain ever (and eventually, the longest-serving captain in NHL history) solidified his status as a Detroit sports legend. He went on to win 3 championships with the Red Wings and numerous trophies. Joe Louis Arena to this day is filled with No. 19 jerseys. A rare breed who stayed loyal to his team throughout the span of his 23-year career. Thanks for the great memories Stevie!

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Editor’s note: Though not mentioned above we recognize the great accomplishments of the Red Wings’ Stanley Cup wins of decades past. [1936, 1937, 1943, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955]

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