Detroit facing uncertain future

If the Red Wings can't stave off elimination Monday night the team will begin an uncertain summer.

Updated: May 3, 2004, 11:33 AM ET
By By Jim Wilkie | NHL Insider
These could be the last days of the Detroit Red Wings' turn of the century dynasty that hockey fans have come to love and hate. If the Red Wings can't stave off elimination Monday night in Game 6 at Calgary, the team that has won three of the past seven Stanley Cups will begin an uncertain summer earlier than it had planned.

We knew time would eventually catch up to the star-filled, expensive lineup, but the low-budget, sixth-seeded Calgary Flames have also caught up through five games of the second round to show how much closer the teams are in terms of ability and execution.

Down three games to two, the Red Wings will be in tougher shape without two superstar veterans who could always be counted on in crucial games such as these. Center Steve Yzerman is out indefinitely with an eye injury suffered in Game 5 and defenseman Chris Chelios is still out with a shoulder injury from Game 2.


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