2006 Detroit Red Wings

Even as we say “Congratulations” to the Anaheim Ducks, winners of the Western Conference Finals, we want to say a big “Thank you” to the Detroit Red Wings, winners of the Central Division, for the amazing season they had!

The NHL's long-awaited return to the ice in 2005-06 was a triumphant one for the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings dominated the regular season, finishing with 58 wins to only 16 regulation-time losses and 8 overtime losses, for a total of 124 points. That placed them not only at the top of the Central Division, and of the Western Conference, but also earned them the Presidents' Trophy for the year's best record in the entire National Hockey League.

Of course, that record put the Detroit Red Wings in the #1 bracket position within its conference; it also bestowed a monetary bonus and the home-ice advantage would have held throughout the playoffs. The Presidents' Trophy is, of course, no guarantee of ultimate victory, as the Detroit Red Wings had known from their own experience, including the previous postseason tournament (2003-04) in which they were eliminated by the Calgary Flames.

However, the Red Wings could have balanced that with plenty of successful history, dating back to 1926: 53 playoff appearances and 10 Stanley Cup victories, most recently in 2001-02. Looking as strong as they ever had, the Detroit Red Wings seemed poised to capture the Stanley Cup once more. It was not to be, though, as the Red Wings were eliminated in the first round by the Edmonton Oilers.

Note: The Red Wings' name is commonly misspelled as one word, Redwings.