The sight of Steve Yzerman joyfully hoisting the Cup over his head endeared him and the Wings to fans everywhere. Likewise, when a limousine carrying three members of the Wings organization crashed into a tree six days after the Cup victory, the hockey world was captivated again, this time on a somber note. As details of the extensive injuries to Vladimir Konstantinov and Sergei Mnatsakanov became known, the impact of the crash was felt. Today, many hockey enthusiasts are pulling for the Red Wings. Usually when a team comes out of a successful year, there's a letdown.
Players forget how to be successful, the team forgets how to be successful.
They lose that character level and the work-ethic level. But what Detroit has done is use the Konstantinov situation to their advantage, using it to motivate them even more. I know that I'm hoping for them. The way they handled Fedorov and everything, it's a team you cheer for. But to get to the Cup Finals, the Wings likely will have to go through Colorado and Dallas.