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The Detroit Red Wings are as capable as any hockey team to win professional sports' most coveted trophy: the Stanley Cup. Finishing the regular season with the best record in their division again this year gives them home-ice advantage for the playoffs. If they've been knocked out in the first round a few times in recent years, they have also won the Cup three times in the last ten years - and this year looks more promising than ever.

They answered many critics in their first-round series victory over the Calgary Flames, a team that tried to physically beat the Wings into submission. And, in fact, that war of attrition took a toll with at least a couple of players remaining injured and iffy for the start of round two. Defenseman Brett Lebda suffered a concussion from a sucker punch. Tomas Holmstrom a force in front of the net, and a thorn in the side of any opposing goalie - is day-to-day after a high stick to the eye. On the other hand, Johan Franzen, who was tomahawked in his breadbasket in game five, was the game winning overtime hero in the series-clinching game six.

Many other positives were revealed in that series. Pavel Datsyuk the best puck controller in the league shed his fade-in-the-playoffs label by finding the back of the net three times. Hank Zetterberg a relentless skater and workhorse returned from a late-season injury just in time for these playoffs, scoring twice. Together, the Euro Twins are the craftiest playmaking duo on ice. For veteran guidance, defenseman Chris Chelios posted positive stats. And if Stanley Cups are won by goal-keeping, then Dominik "The Dominator" Hasek is in prime form, giving his teammates a chance to win every game.

My only concern is that for the first time in over twenty years, the Detroit Red Wings are playing without their heart, soul, and undisputed team leader "The Captain." But rest assured that Stevie Y. will be in the building for every game. And besides, the man wearing the "C" now just happens to be four-time Norris trophy winner Nick Lidstrom who, even on an off night, is better than the rest and he rarely has an off night. Then there's Chris Draper and Kirk Maltby who come alive at playoff time and already have three rings each to prove it. The addition of Big Todd Bertuzzi has helped line mate and veteran Robert Lang find his game. Coach Mike Babcock has the team believing in themselves. The power play came on during the last couple of games, and the penalty killing - another suspected weakness going in was effective in a big way to finish off the Flames, in Calgary, in overtime. That does a lot for the confidence. Add to all of that, Schneider, Cleary, the Swedes, the hungry, talented youngsters (team owner Mike Ilitch, general manager Jimmy Develano, and talent scout Ken Holland, have built a bona fide dynasty over the last couple of decades), and the list goes on.

Sure, you've got to like Daniel Alfredsson and the Ottawa Senators' chances, and the Buffalo Sabres are tough with Ryan Miller tending goal. But that's looking too far ahead. For now, the next order of business is the San Jose Sharks: A team that can roll four lines of players like the Wings. But all things considered I can see the Detroit Red Wings bringing the Stanley Cup back to the Motor City in 2007. Meanwhile, I'm in the midst of my favorite holiday season the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Learn more about this author, Gary Peterson.
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