2002 Stanley Cup Final Game 4 vs Devils

Lore & Background

The Red Wings have won the most Stanley Cup championships of any NHL franchise based in the United States (11), and are third overall amongst active teams, behind the Montreal Canadiens (24) and Toronto Maple Leafs (13). They played at Joe Louis Arena from 1979 until 2017, after 52 years at Olympia Stadium, and moved to Little Caesars Arena in 2017–18. The Detroit area is called 'Hockeytown', a registered trademark since 1996.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Joe Louis Arena hummed with nervous energy, a low vibration felt through the concrete floorboards. Fans in red and white leaned forward as the puck dropped for face-off. The lights glinted off the ice, reflecting the banners hanging high above. It was just another night on paper, but for those present, it was a fight for immortality. Dominik Hasek adjusted his mask, eyes locked on the opposing crease. He knew what was at stake; one mistake could send them home empty-handed again. The crowd roared as a shot rang off the post, the sound echoing like thunder in the enclosed space. For ninety minutes, every breath held weight, until finally, the final horn sounded and Detroit lived to fight another day.

Reader's Guide

The Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup four times since 1983–84 (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008). They made the playoffs 30 times in 32 seasons from 1983–84 to 2015–16, including 25 straight from 1990–91 to 2015–16 (not including the canceled 2004–05 season). Since the end of that streak in 2016, they have failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the past ten seasons, the longest active drought in the league.

Did You Know?

• The Red Wings were originally named the Detroit Cougars after purchasing the players of the WHL's Victoria Cougars.
• The team's winged-wheel logo is a red version of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association's 'Winged Wheelers' emblem.
• Gordie Howe, one of the greatest players in hockey history, joined the Red Wings in 1946.
• The Red Wings won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1954 and 1955, both times defeating the Montreal Canadiens in seven games.