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Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals 1997-98

The Stanley Cup is one of the most-recognized symbols in North American sports. It is the championship trophy of the NHL, National Hockey League which is won by one of the teams that wins a series of playoff matches. It is the only trophy in professional sports that has the name of the winning players, coaches, management, and club staff engraved upon it. The Cup winners keep it until the new champion is crowned.

The lasting image of every NHL playoff year is the winning team lifting the Stanley Cup in celebration. The moment is dramatic and emotional whether the final series lasts four games or seven. In 1997-98 championship played between the Detroit Red Wings vs. Washington Capitals, the Detroit Red Wings won this Cup.

It's more than just goals and assists for the two-time champion Red Wings. It's life. It's caring. It's passion. It's never forgetting what it took to get you there the first time and the guts and determination to get there again. Detroit's second consecutive Stanley Cup sweep, underscores how special this team is. A year ago, the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup for the city, giving Detroit its first NHL championship since 1955.

Steve Yzerman proved what a great leader he is, Sergei Fedorov showed he can fake, stop and pop for a dramatic victory one night before Michael Jordan took the Bulls to another championship with a similar move. Chris Osgood proved his mettle by overcoming three long-shot gaffes in goal. Sixteen players scored points in the playoffs.

But the Red Wings learned a lesson from a four-game sweep at the hands of New Jersey in the 1995 finals . . . and another lesson the next year when Colorado beat them in the conference finals. And, instead of making excuses as they used to, they reasoned through the losses, added a few key, character players and became champions.

The Red Wings had a 46 win-2 loss-0 draw when they led by two or more goals, and those numbers speak volumes about their ability to play defense. There may have been three one-goal victories in the series, but the best team won every night. But continuing to sacrifice goals and assists for team goals under Bowman's defensive system is the key to this team being successful.

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