Recap
Dedicating the entire season to Vladimir Konstantinov and Sergei Mnatsakanov the Red Wings put together another solid season finishing 2nd place with a 44-23-15 record. With Mike Vernon traded before the season the Red Wings turned to Chris Osgood who played shaky in previous playoff tests. In the first round he showed a little of his shakiness as the Red Wings needed 6 games to knock off the Phoenix Coyotes. In the 2nd round Osgood played stronger as the Wings beat the ST. Louis Blues in 6 games. Facing the Dallas Stars who won the Presidents Trophy the Wings landed in the Stanley Cup Finals for the 2nd straight season as they knocked off the Stars in 6 games. With wheelchair ridden Vladimir Konstantinov and masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov on hand the Red Wings turned it up a notch crushing the Washington Capitals in 4 straight to win their 2nd straight Stanley Cup. Longtime fan favorite Steve Yzerman would be presented with the Conn Smythe. Also serving as Captain Stevie Y. when presented with Stanley Cup skated over and placed it in Konstantinov's lap as the entire team joined in for an emotional scene that touched fans throughout the sports world.