Detroit Red Wings: 11th Heaven After Dispatching Penguins for Stanley Cup

There’s Datsyuk, who had 21 points in this year's campaign and, along with Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom, makes up one of the most dangerous lines in the league and was excellent in containing Crosby’s line throughout the series.

What about Franzen, who single-handedly took apart Colorado in Round Two, missed five games against Dallas, and came back for the Finals, finishing with three points for the series? This guy would have challenged Zetterberg for the Conn Smythe if not for missing most of Round Three.

It’s also for the new guys and the first-time winners. Guys like Dallas Drake, who’s already been through Detroit once and has now won a Stanley Cup. How fitting to see Lidstrom hand him the Cup first.

Drake then passed it to Dan Cleary, a gritty guy who becomes the first Newfoundlander to bring home a Cup.

How about guys like Brian Rafalski and Brad Stuart, who were acquired for defensive prowess and played top-notch defense while providing a goal here and there (Rafalski had a goal in Game Six and four points in the series)?

How about guys like Valtteri Filppula, who scored in the clincher? How about Nicklas Kronwall, who actually got to play a full, injury-free playoffs?

This Cup marks redemption for some players—none more than Osgood. After taking the Wings all the way in 1998, he was let go a few years later, and then found his way back to Detroit in 2005.

He sat on the bench for two games in the playoffs before replacing Dominik Hasek and going 14-4 on his way to earning another ring. At 35, he proved he’s still an able goalie and can lead a team, silencing critics who questioned his effectiveness and ability to win.

Though Zetterberg is very deserving, Osgood was the next best choice for the Conn Smythe.

And how about Darren McCarty? The hero of Game Four of the ‘97 Finals has been trying to turn his life around since battling alcohol and gambling problems. He was brought back late this season and showed that he could still play, much to fans’ delight. Now he’ll get his name etched on the Cup for a fourth time.

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