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Red Wings' core group seeks another Stanley Cup

Five veterans have shot to win fourth title with Detroit

By Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 1, 2008 at 11:44 p.m.

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Captain Nicklas Lidstrom, left, one of five players hoping to win a fourth Stanley Cup as a member of the Red Wings, talks with teammate Andreas Lilja during practice Sunday in Detroit.

Photo by Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Captain Nicklas Lidstrom, left, one of five players hoping to win a fourth Stanley Cup as a member of the Red Wings, talks with teammate Andreas Lilja during practice Sunday in Detroit.

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A second Fab Five is making news in the Wolverine State.

Unlike the tarnished University of Michigan basketball team that was forced to forfeit games in the 1990s, five Detroit Red Wings players are on the verge of winning a fourth Stanley Cup together without a hint of scandal.

It's a testament to the players - captain Nicklas Lidstrom and forwards Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom, Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty - but also to general manager Ken Holland, who was promoted to his current position after the Red Wings won the first of back-to-back championships in 1997.

The Red Wings hold a commanding 3-1 lead against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the best- of-seven series, giving them three cracks to nail down the 11th Cup in team history and fourth in 11 seasons, beginning tonight at Joe Louis Arena.

"It helps having a veteran group that's been there before and knows what it has to do," Lidstrom said Sunday. The native of Sweden would be the first European-born and bred captain to hoist the silver chalice.

"(But) we know as a team that we haven't won anything yet. We've won three games and we have to win four to win the Stanley Cup. Pittsburgh has gotten better and better each game, too, so that's why we have to respond as a team and come out with a great effort again."

Aside from the three Cups the five players have been part of, they have helped the Red Wings win eight division titles, five regular-season conference titles and four Presidents' Trophies. Detroit also is coming off its third 50-win season in a row.

"Kenny Holland is very, very loyal once you've won the Cup," coach Mike Babcock said. "No, I think he's loyal in general. But I mean, for those guys, they've won Cups here, and they've been a big part of the organization. And he has a great relationship with them.

"Kenny's different than a lot of general managers I've been around, and his relationship with the players is strong. He has a good feel for them, understands. That doesn't mean he's easy to negotiate with for the players. But I think he's a real good hockey person that has a good feel for them and understands what it takes to keep people happy."

Holmstrom still hurting

Holmstrom, who missed Game 4 because of a hamstring injury, didn't take part in the optional skate Sunday but told Babcock that he would play tonight.

"He told me he's playing," Babcock said. "I don't usually ask the player. But we'll see what happens. Obviously, we thought he was playing (Saturday) night. And so we'll see how he is (today). He's got a hamstring injury. Sometimes they don't (heal) as quick as you'd like. He'd really obviously like to play."

Malkin silenced

Center Evgeni Malkin definitely will be in the Penguins lineup, not that he has been especially effective. He scored 47 goals in the regular season and is a finalist for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable player, but he doesn't have a point against the Red Wings. In Pittsburgh's past eight playoff games, Malkin has one goal, one assist and is a minus-4.

"He's facing a tough time," coach Michel Therrien said. "He's a good kid. He means well. And it's not a matter that he doesn't want to have success. He wants success for our team and his teammates and for himself, too, as well."

One game at a time

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is maintaining a short-term outlook,given his team's 1-3 deficit.

"All we focus on is winning this game," he said. "We'll leave it all out there and see what happens. We have to make sure we empty the tank and play desperate and see where it takes us."

Talking trades

When the league's general managers meet in Detroit today, they'll likely discuss the framework for possible trades. The NHL entry draft is June 20-21 in Ottawa, where some deals undoubtedly will be made.

He said it

"I've been in exactly this situation in the Stanley Cup Finals, won 15 (playoff) games and you think that everything's going to go your way, and last time I got to watch someone else lift the Cup."

Babcock, who was coaching Anaheim in 2003 when the Ducks lost to New Jersey in Game 7.

Schedule

Detroit vs. Pittsburgh

1 Detroit 4-0

2 Detroit 3-0

3 Pittsburgh 3-2

4 Detroit 2-1

5 Today at Detroit, 6 p.m.

*6 Wed. at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

*7 Saturday at Detroit, 6 p.m.

Penguins at Red Wings

* When: 6 p.m. MDT today.

* Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit.

* What: Game 5, best-of-seven Stanley Cup Finals.

* TV/radio: KUSA-Channel 9; KKFN-FM (104.3).

* Leading postseason scorers

Pittsburgh (13-5) G A P

C Sidney Crosby 6 18 24

RW Marian Hossa 10 12 22

C Evgeni Malkin 9 10 19

LW Ryan Malone 6 10 16

D Sergei Gonchar 1 11 12

Coach:

Michel Therrien

Detroit (15-5) G A P

C Henrik Zetterberg 12 11 23

RW Pavel Datsyuk 9 11 20

RW Johan Franzen 13 4 17

C Jiri Hudler 5 9 14

D Nicklas Lidstrom 3 10 13

D Niklas Kronwall 0 13 13

Coach:

Mike Babcock * Injuries: Pittsburgh - D Mark Eaton (knee) is out. Detroit - C Tomas Kopecky (knee) is out; LW Tomas Holmstrom, right, (hamstring) is probable.

* Sidelight: The Penguins are trying to become the first team to erase a 3-1 series deficit and win the Stanley Cup since the Toronto Maple Leafs did against Detroit in 1942. The Maple Leafs won four in a row after losing the first three.

* Notes: The Penguins have totaled four goals in the series after scoring four or more in nine of their first 14 playoff games. . . . The Penguins have been outshot in every game against the Red Wings after outshooting opponents in all but three of the first 14 games. . . . The Penguins are 2-for-17 on power plays in the series. . . . The Red Wings have been outshot in only one of their 20 playoff games and own a 134-88 advantage in the series. . . . Detroit is 2-for-22 on power plays against Pittsburgh.

Comments

  • June 2, 2008

    3:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Red Wings, Tigers, everybody except Ford's Lions...it's a curse when looking at the Lions...someday never comes for Lions...a Lions fan is truly of the highest order of loyalty!

  • June 2, 2008

    3:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    P.S.: a lot of political action going on over the mayor of Detroit; looks like the governor will be asked to play his position on the Fitz...folks, never read one town's news, or you'll end up with a cowtown opinion! Detroit Free Press..