Tuesday June 9 8pm
DETROIT -- The Red Wings are four wins from capturing their second consecutive championship, and the Washington Capitals are equally close to capturing the franchise's first. The teams meet tonight in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Red Wings will play in the finals for the third time in four seasons while the Capitals have made the NHL's ultimate series for the first time in their 23-year history.
Detroit is trying to become the first repeat champion since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991-92. Current Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman led the Pens to the second of those titles.
Sergei Fedorov leads the Wings with nine goals, and captain Steve Yzerman is tops with 16 assists and 20 points. Brendan Shanahan hasn't recorded a point in eight games dating back to Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against St. Louis.
One thing in Washington's favor is that it is much better on the road than at home in the playoffs. The Caps have posted a 7-1 mark away from the MCI Center. They are 4-5 on home ice.
The Capitals' most dangerous scorer heading into Game 1 is Joe Juneau -- four of his seven postseason goals have been game-winners.
The Red Wings won both games in the season series, a 2-0 win at Joe Louis Arena on Jan. 11 and a 4-2 victory at the MCI Center three weeks later. Detroit is 6-0-1 against Washington since Jan. 30, 1994.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be played Thursday night at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.
