Lines are a bit off but I agree 100%

I still have nightmares about game 7. ☹️

This was disappointing for sure but it's not the best team. The 1996 Red Wings were the one of the two most dominant regular season teams in the history of the NHL. They toyed with teams all season. They beat the eventual Stanley cup winner (Colorado) 7-0 (three powerplay goals and THREE short handed goals) a few days before the season ended. The disappointment of that team not winning is still palpable to this day.

Yeah what pissed me off about that game, Was Malkin high sticked a Red Wing player drawing blood. Instead of a 4 minute power play they score shortly after and win the game 2-1. That whole series was crap and got royally screwed by the Refs. And yet we were by far the best team not to win the cup.

What about Malkin starting a fight after game 5 was over? Should've never played game 6. Supposed to be an automatic 1 game suspension.

He got the star treatment and wasn't suspended.

Do you remember the disgusted look on Bettman's face after Detroit smoked the Pens in game 5 at the Joe? I'll never forget it.

That was actually game 2 at Joe Louis Arena, He instigated a fight with Henrik Zetterberg which is a mandatory one game suspension. What pissed me off on game 3 is that Pittsburgh had too many men on the ice for well over a minute. The Refs were even counting that Pittsburgh had too many men yet didn't call it. Just when they finally correct it was when Malkin scored that whole series was fixed by Gary Bettman he was always anti Detroit and we were by far the best team in that series.

It's why Ilitch never shook Bettman's hand after game 7 was over. He shook Mario's hand. But not Gary's.

Has a SCF ever been moved up 1 week like that one was? Games 1 and 2 were back to back. Red Wings stars were all banged up and could've used that week off.

Right we just got out of that grueling series with Chicago and we were pretty banged up, If i'm not mistaken we were without both Draper and Lidstrom at the beginning yet we dominated the first two home games. Zetterberg was at center ice not even playing the puck and Crosby blind-sided him how was that not called. I loved the game 5 shellacking 5-0 one of the most dominate games i've seen the Wings play in a long while.

Plus Hossa had a separated shoulder. Datsyuk didn't even play against Chicago IIRC. Lidstrom was speared in the nuts by Patrick Sharp. Rafalski was getting cortisone shots in his back. A week off would've done wonders. I always thought if we'd won game 7 Osgood would've won the Conn Smythe. Unfortunately he'll be remembered for those 2 goals by Max Talbot. I still blame Brad Stuart for the first one.

Yeah Bettman was an idiot to move the SCF up, He knew we were banged up should've had at least 6 more days until the SCF yet they moved it up about 4 days early to Tuesday. And yet we still came close to winning our 2nd back to back cups. Only the inept officiating cost us the series.

Gary had to get Sid his Cup. NHL poster boy.

That's exactly it in a nutshell.