Associated Press article
May 3, 2006
The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the best NHL teams during the regular season in recent years, and among the worst when the games really matter.
Since winning back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 1997-98, Detroit has lost in the first or second round in six of seven postseasons.
The Red Wings’ latest flop in the playoffs was completed Monday night when the eighth-seeded Edmonton Oilers scored four goals in the third period to win 4-3, eliminating the team that accumulated 124 points — the fifth-highest total in league history.
“The only thing that was going to make this a successful season was winning the Stanley Cup,” defenseman Mathieu Schneider said. “We didn’t live up to our expectations.”
The stunning setback against the Oilers might have ended captain Steve Yzerman’s storied career, which started in Detroit in 1983 and included three Stanley Cup championships along with a ton of personal success.
Yzerman, who turns 41 on May 9, said he could announce by next week whether he will return for a 23rd NHL season.
“I can pretty much make a quick decision on what I want to do for the future,” said Yzerman, who has more points in the regular season and playoffs than any other active player.
