96/97 RS: Det @ Phi Highlights - 1/25/97

[@mangrove]

It truly was a preview of the Finals, with a Grinder scoring a goal, Hextall getting pulled, Coffey looking old, and Lindros not scoring and losing his mind.

[@coreykmvy1980]

He had one year where he was incredible for the Flyers but of course they flamed out and he forget a Cup

[@josephhewitt5962]

After watching this video, it’s amazing that the Wings were considered underdogs going into the Finals.

[@GuillaumeMayer-n8v]

It misses one very important player in this January season game compared to the Finals 5 months later: Larry Murphy, acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in March 1997 (the true replacement for Coffey, as Shanahan was a forward), and who actually was the most productive defenseman in these 1997 finals (Murphy: +10, 3 assists, just for the finals). Lidstrom, who played on the same 1st pair, was +6, with 1 goal, and the 2nd pair with Fetisov (+1, 2 assists) and Konstantinov (-1, not usual for him, as he was the most solid D-man of the NHL in +/-, and third for the Norris trophy that year) were also decisive in controlling/frustrating Lindros and his teammates. Murphy finished the 1997 playoffs with a card of +16, 2 goals, 9 assists, and a third ring. He was 35 years old, and his experience was a key factor in the victory as for guiding Lidstrom (27 years old) to his stellar level for the rest of his career.

[@coreykmvy1980]

Nailed it here. He was my favorite Lidstrom partner.

[@xthebumpx]

The robot animations! Brings back childhood memories.

[@Wingnut00-zero]

The FOX bots and the glow puck. Iconic.

[@Yzerman1991]

What a slick one-handed touch by Yzerman on the 1st goal.

[@coreykmvy1980]

Yeah it doesn’t matter what you did to him, he was just going to keep hunting you. What an intense hockey player #16 was

[@gungho8180]

Woah. I forget how much grit the game used to have. Knowing in hindsight that these two teams would meet later in the finals this same year makes this whole game that much more interesting. Thanks for the upload!

[@deathevokation1017]

Konstantinov owned Lindros. Konstantinov earned those smelling salts for the Red Wing and fans.

[@Yzerman1991]

This was just as Komstantinov was entering his prime....It's so, so angering that he only had another 5 months of hockey left.

[@dftns19]

I can just imagine some of the younger ones watching this, wondering what that "tracking" bar at the bottom is all about. VCR technology!

[@Wingnut00-zero]

Did you too have a separate cassette rewinder?

[@nobody93372]

now this is the hockey i remember

[@JTupp96]

Really weird seeing Holmstrom wearing 15

[@Detwhat]

Its a shame the LaPointe signed with Boston. Scotty built s perfect role for him. We drafted him in the 1st round and groomed him to be a solid power foward. But Bostons GM hated Mr. I. So they went at LaPointe. LaPointe said leaving Detroit was his biggest mistake. I believe Boston gave him 20 or 25 million dollar deal over 4 or 5yrs. He never lived up to the contract. But he had a perfect role in Detroit. He could've helped us win at least 1 more cup.

[@BigSpencer77]

Ahhh the good old days of the Fox fighting robots!

[@tmoore4075]

I remember missing the first part of this game for some reason and expected to turn it on and them getting their butts kicked with how good Philly was and how Wings were struggling. What a surprise to see the Wingd take it to them. Thanks for this.

[@OldishGoalie]

I almost completely forgot about those Fox animations 😂 love it!!

[@brianfeeney9493]

Incredible Days in The MOTOR CITY 🏒

[@raysup0862]

Bring back those goal animations!

[@jimmacdonald8396]

You wonder if Bowman, being the coaching genius he is, before the 97 Finals watched the tape/film of this game and used it to base his strategy for line matchups against the Legion of Doom etc. since the Wings won this game maybe it worked as a perfect "template" of sorts!

[@brandonwest8921]

I understand the game is different nowadays but some part of me is still hopeful to see a future Cup worthy Red Wings team with guys like Seider, Edvinsson, Raymond & Kasper that play with a similar fire that guys like Konstantinov, McCarty & Lapointe used to bring. Still can't get over seeing our captain unconscious, face down on the ice, and Perron & Fischer seemed to be the only ones willing do anything about it.

[@lilman2514]

i miss you

[@justiciavalentena6778]

Gotta dub finally awood ✊🐙

[@jasonstuckert4214]

I still think Lindros is one of, if not, the most overrated players of all time. Shouldn’t be in the HOF.

[@mangrove]

He was very dominant at times, but he was usually his own worst enemy. Guys like Vladdie, Stevens, and Kaspritis knew how to burrow deep into his head, and he never changed his habit of looking down at the puck, which shortened his career. McCarty wrote about playing against him in Juniors, and how his team could batter him and throw him off of his game. I think he's in the Hall for his very limited body of work coupled with what he should've been; guys like Mogilny deserved to get in before him.

[@noname-nobody1247]

But he wasn't overrated. Other teams were scared of him

[@realpillboxer]

@@noname-nobody1247 there are literally dozens if not hundreds of other players that opposing teams were allegedly scared of. That alone is not enough to get someone into the HOF.

[@EdwinMaturski-cc9is]

I respectfully disagree Sir... In that era, the league was filled with garage league goons and dirty, underhanded pugilists... His response can only be regarded as self defense against the ice hooligans...

[@phillycardshark9257]

To say Lindros was overrated is completely asinine. A player of his caliber that fought his own battles...because he dealt with dirty cheap shot players since he was 12 years old. Gretzky and Lemieux would step aside so that Mcsorly or Semenko and players like that would take care of the bullshit. Eric played a different way...he fought and won most of the fights with ALL OF THE ENFORCERS of his era....his strength was legendary...and yes his style of play was detrimental to his career ultimately...but that was his game...and he absolutely deserves being in the HOF.

[@Alex174MGN]

Каспер 88- у желток взболтнул за всех советских пацанов.

[@Otis-iv4df]

The Steamroller was always my favorite! Thanks @awood40

[@scottlocke8935]

Filthadelfea, Nasty dirty place!!!