Detroit Red Wings: Best Playoff Series in Red Wings History

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Since 1932, there have been many historical and memorable games in Red Wings history. There have been even more memorable playoff series and runs in the great and rich tradition of Red Wings hockey.

From dramatic-ending Game 7's to make-it-look-easy sweeps, let's take a look at some of the best playoff series in Red Wings history. 

1936: vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

You would have to not be a fan to skip your team's first Stanley Cup year.

The Red Wings took on the strong Maple Leafs. At 9:45 into the third, Pete Kelly netted what would eventually be the Cup-winning goal and be forever remember in Hockeytown.

1950: vs. New York Rangers

The Production Line of Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay and Sid Abel led the NHL this year in points as they went No. 1, 2, 3 in the point standings.

Even though Howe was not on the ice for the victory because of a hole in his skull from the first round playoff series with the Maple Leafs, he was able to celebrate the victory with his team.

1987: vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Almost 10 years since their last playoff series win, the Red Wings swept the Blackhawks to take the series. Also coming out of the era of the "Dead Wings," it was an inspirational win and good feat for the Red Wings.

1996: vs. St. Louis Blues

The Red Wings were one of the favorites to win the Cup this year and face the talented Blues with Hull and Gretzky. The intense series went to seven, and if you're a Red Wings fan, I don't have to tell you who ended it.

1997: vs. Colorado Avalanche

Just around the time when this rivalry really started to heat up, every Red Wings fan wanted the Avs and I'm sure they wanted us. But Detroit would get the last laugh in this series as they made the Stanley Cup Ffinals for the second time in three years.

1997: vs. Philadelphia Flyers

If you are a Red Wings fan, you will never forget this series and that day. It was 42 years ago from this moment when they were holding the Stanley Cup.

Then started the era of a dynasty. 

1998: vs. Washington Capitals

The back-to-back Stanley Cups are probably the Red Wings' fans favorite Cup moments of this generation, and with a second sweep in the Finals vs. the Capitals.

2002: vs. Colorado Avalanche

The Red Wings were still in a heated rivalry with the hated Avs, and this tension-filled series came to a screeching halt for the Avs in this Game 7 as the Red Wings would go onto win the game, 7-0.

2002: vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Red Wings just got done beating their rivals in the Conference Finals when they had to face the flying Hurricanes in the Finals. The Red Wings won in five and captured their third cup in six years.

2007: vs. San Jose Sharks

The Red Wings trailed the series 2-1 and then tied Game 4 up late with a goal by Robert Lang to then end it in OT by a Mathieu Schneider shot that beat Evgeni Nabokov. The Red Wings got new hope from that game and went on to win the series, 4-2.

2008: vs. Colorado Avalanche

Another playoff matchup with the Avs as they renewed the rivalry in 2008 and swept them to go on to face Dallas in the Conference Finals.

2008: vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Red Wings faced the Penguins in the 2008 Finals and beat them in six to win their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 years.

2009: vs. Anaheim Ducks

The Red Wings were in a see-saw series with the Ducks that came down to the very last minutes of Game 7 when Danny Cleary netted the game-winning goal to go on to face the Blackhawks in the Conference Finals.