Best Playoff Series of the Last 15 Years

[Guest 13GoWings40]

So since we're all bored with the offseason and I need something to take my mind off today's tragedy, I wanted to discuss our greatest playoff victories over the last 15 years. I personally would rank them in the order the poll options are in, with the '97 cup win being the best. What do you think was our greatest series win? (define "greatest" in whatever terms you want)

[PrairieDawg 52]

I was a little younger during the 90's series, but the 2002 Colorado series will be etched into my brain for the rest of my life. I've never been so emotionally invested into a series and when they beat them it felt like we had already won the cup.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Detroit/Colorado 2002.

One of the best playoff series ever.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

Wings vs Nordilanche for 7 fun filled memorable games. Patrick getting pulled and sung out of Joe Louis Arena one game after the statue of liberty play. All after that horrifying game 5 OT loss at JLA when Shanahan missed a yawning net and Flopsberg scored to put Denver up 3-2

[hooon 1,089]

02 Aves was amazing. The rivalry had been marinating for more than 5 seasons by this point and it was awesome to come out on top against them.

97 will always have a very special place in my heart, however. Being a kid and a huge Wings fan and being allowed to stay up to watch the game and celebrate will be something I'll never forget.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I didn't realize this was debatable.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Easily the Colorado series in 2002. I've never been so nervous for any games, including Cup Final games. Seven straight nerve wracking games. I knew we had to win that series to save face, after losing to them in 1999 and 2000.

The other choices were big wins for Detroit, but two of them were sweeps and not all that competitive. The St. Louis series was great, but the Colorado one was just better, minus the game 7 blowout. The game 7 against St. Louis was as good a game as I've ever seen.

[vladdy16 2,154]

So since we're all bored with the offseason and I need something to take my mind off today's tragedy, I wanted to discuss our greatest playoff victories over the last 15 years. I personally would rank them in the order the poll options are in, with the '97 cup win being the best. What do you think was our greatest series win? (define "greatest" in whatever terms you want)

I agree with Doc - Detroit/Colorado was epic. What was great about the Detroit/Philly series was winning the Cup; the series itself was comparatively boring.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

What about our win against Columbus in 2009?

That was epic.

[unsaddleddonald 357]

just to add to what you guys are all saying...

that 02 Avs series was everything and more. I cried when they lost game 5 </3

[Guest 13GoWings40]

What about our win against Columbus in 2009?

That was epic.

Right? Oh that game 4, so close lol.

This poll is a little more lopsided than I though it was gonna be. I thought more than just me would vote for the first cup win. However, I wanna say that in my own life (I was 7 in '97), 2002 against Colorado was by far the most exciting. I still have to give the nod to '97 though. I mean other than '94 to the Rangers, who has overcome a longer win-less streak?

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Maybe this doesn't make me a "die hard" fan but I'm not as much of a "competitive series" sort of guy like some of you guys on here. I voted for the Flyers series with no hesitation. I would much, much rather watch the Wings dominate a supposedly superior opponent. Especially since, at that time, the Flyers were supposed to run over the Red Wings. It was awesome to watch the Wings outsmart and outwill the Flyers in four games.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Maybe this doesn't make me a "die hard" fan but I'm not as much of a "competitive series" sort of guy like some of you guys on here. I voted for the Flyers series with no hesitation. I would much, much rather watch the Wings dominate a supposedly superior opponent. Especially since, at that time, the Flyers were supposed to run over the Red Wings. It was awesome to watch the Wings outsmart and outwill the Flyers in four games.

I'd much rather watch dominance as well.

However, those series aren't as memorable as the competitive ones which have lots of ups and downs.

BTW, if we beat San Jose last year in game 7, I have no doubt most people would have voted for that. It's a shame.

Edited September 8, 2011 by GMRwings1983

[Red Wings Addict 787]

I'd much rather watch dominance as well.

However, those series aren't as memorable as the competitive ones which have lots of ups and downs.

BTW, if we beat San Jose last year in game 7, I have no doubt most people would have voted for that. It's a shame.

Well for me the Flyers series is more memorable to me than the 2002 Avs series. It just is. Can't fully explain why. I mean, I wish they had a view where you could just watch Lidstrom and Murphy at work. To me that footage should be viewed by every young puck moving defensemen along with other examples as well.

The San Jose series? Maybe. I mostly remember being pissed the f*** off, haha. Not as pissed as San Jose 2010 but still.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

What about our win against Columbus in 2009?

That was epic.

It was great if you live in Columbus. Everyone was very excited, maybe a little too sure of themselves because of an earlier 8-2 win. I would just say, "regular season?" and laugh. I'm glad we swept them, but I'd rather we didn't play them at all that year. Jacket fans deserve a win.

I voted other. 1997 WCF vs. Avalanche has to be mine. They were our biggest enemy, and had we lost the next round I would not feel this strongly, but they were the ones we had to overcome. The "tough" series where we had to grind out wins, and a lot of those games weren't close (Shanny's empty netter in Game 6 was the loudest I thought I'd ever scream for an empty net goal until a little over 5 years later. You know the one. Thanks again Shanny). It was just so satisfying to redeem ourselves. Especially after the year before, when my favorite goal ever was scored in Game 7 vs. St. Louis, and I thought we could take a breath again.

BTW, if we beat San Jose last year in game 7, I have no doubt most people would have voted for that. It's a shame.

I still watch Game 6 highlight over and over. Outside of a finals game, that was so

But that's what we get for letting a close series get to 0-3 two years in a row.

[evil204 4]

How about Anaheim in 09?

[Red Wings Addict 787]

I voted other. 1997 WCF vs. Avalanche has to be mine. They were our biggest enemy, and had we lost the next round I would not feel this strongly, but they were the ones we had to overcome. The "tough" series where we had to grind out wins, and a lot of those games weren't close (Shanny's empty netter in Game 6 was the loudest I thought I'd ever scream for an empty net goal until a little over 5 years later. You know the one. Thanks again Shanny). It was just so satisfying to redeem ourselves. Especially after the year before, when my favorite goal ever was scored in Game 7 vs. St. Louis, and I thought we could take a breath again.

Definitely my favorite goal of that series. It just screamed, "We won't be denied!"

Plus anytime you can really own Patrick Roy with a goal is a bonus as well.

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

How about Anaheim in 09?

I lost my friggin mind when Cleary scored in Game 7. I was in front of strangers, I didn't care.

Definitely my favorite goal of that series. It just screamed, "We won't be denied!"

Plus anytime you can really own Patrick Roy with a goal is a bonus as well.

Agreed, but McCarty's breakaway at the end I think really put a statement at the end of that game. 15 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

How about Anaheim in 09?

That series just pissed me off the whole time and I don't look back on it fondly. No way that should have gone 7 games. Plus, Brad Watson is a huge moron. Also, how was Pronger allowed to literally wrestle Hossa to the ice right in front of the ref? Plus that series really brought out the worst in Franzen. Not production-wise but rather his tendency to really embellish.

[ogreslayer 1,069]

just to add to what you guys are all saying...

that 02 Avs series was everything and more. I cried when they lost game 5 </3

That was my first game at the Joe & I was pissed when they lost it. Even more pissed off though when an asshat a suit made a few comments about the Wings losing as I made my way through the hotel lobby after the walk back. Needless to say his buddies quickly shut him up though after they started to look around & saw a lobby full of Wings jerseys.

[rick zombo 3,739]

I voted "other". As epic as the 02 series was with Colorado, I have to go with beating them in six in 97. Finally getting over the hump. The finals win against Philly just seemed like desert.

[LeftWinger 5,130]

I agree, all these series' have been epic, but I voted for other...I go back to 1997, 2nd round vs. the Mighty Ducks. Sure it was a 4 game sweep, but games 1, 2 and 4 were OT games. Game two was a triple overtime and game 4 was a double overtime. That series was a defining moment in the Wings history and I remember the Anaheim crowd chanting USA USA USA in game 3 when the Russian 5 were on the ice, although their goalie, Mikhail Shtalenkov was Russian which had to baffle him a little. That chant quickly disappeared when the Russian 5 dominated the ducks single-handedly. They tallied 10 of the 13 points scored that night by the Red Wings including three points each by Fedorov, Kozlov and Konstantinov. Larionov tallied a goal as well... I still maintain 1997 was the most complete team and greatest Stanley Cup victory of the four I have been privileged to be alive for!

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

In terms of just matchups and results alone, I'd go with Colorado 2002 series. So much talent on both rosters and those rosters showed their talents and results more often than not, going the distance. Even as a neutral observer (and while the series was still heated per se, I don't think tempers flew as much as the late 90s), it was as probably entertaining as you an get.

Detroit-Philly in 1997 gets a close second as the Wings did plenty with less that series not being the favorites.

In terms of significance or importance, Detroit-Philly by a heartbeat since it was the 1st Cup in 42 years for the Wings at the time.

[hooon 1,089]

That series just pissed me off the whole time and I don't look back on it fondly. No way that should have gone 7 games. Plus, Brad Watson is a huge moron. Also, how was Pronger allowed to literally wrestle Hossa to the ice right in front of the ref? Plus that series really brought out the worst in Franzen. Not production-wise but rather his tendency to really embellish.

Yeah this is how I feel about that series.

I remember being terrified when Cleary scored because I was sure the refs would find a way to take that goal away from us.

Plus the stuff they were letting Pronger get away with was ridiculous. The Hossa wrestle was unbelievable, and he started it off with a double punch to Hossa's temple driving his head into the boards. Grr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3F966bXC74

Edited September 8, 2011 by hooon

[NvrFrgtRussian5 85]

Tough choice but I said Philly in '97. I just remember the atmosphere around Michigan and we were Wing nuts. I fondly remember Kroger in my town removing all of the philly cream cheese from the shelves in support of the Red Wings; sandwich shops stopped serving philly cheese steaks. Everywhere you went it was Red and White. I haven't seen that much devotion to the Red Wings since. In this day and age large companies like Kroger wouldn't dream of pulling a stunt like that.