Avs-Red Wings Rivalry

The Avalanche is the easiest Colorado team to adopt. I like hockey and have never had a team. They've had some success but I'm not jumping on a bandwagon.

(The Nuggets are the second easiest as I've never had an NBA team. But outside of the playoffs, basketball can be pretty dull. And they're not even playing this year.

The Rockies are fine. But baseball...sigh. I think I'd prefer to go to a Rapids MLS game.)

Anyways, so to get into the Avalanche mindset, I thought I would break down the history of their rivalry with Detroit.

- - -

1995-96
Colorado's first year with a hockey team. Detroit's previous Stanley Cup win was in 1955, so I'll disregard any of their pre-95 Cups.

Detroit and Colorado both win their divisions, Detroit's the #1 seed. They meet in the Western Finals.

Colorado wins in 6, CCDCDC.

Then sweeps Florida for the Cup.

Head-to-head: Colorado 1, Detroit 0
Stanley Cups: Colorado 1, Detroit 0

1996-97
This time Colorado's the #1 seed, Detroit #3. They meet in the Western Finals.

Again the visitor wins, Detroit in 6, CDDDCD. Then sweeps Philly for the Cup.

Head-to-head: Colorado 1, Detroit 1
Stanley Cups: Colorado 1, Detroit 1

1997-98
Colorado's the #2 seed, Detroit #3.

But the Avalanche lose to Edmonton in the first round. The Wings win the Cup again.

Head-to-head: Colorado 1, Detroit 1
Stanley Cups: Colorado 1, Detroit 2

1998-99
Again Colorado's the #2 seed, Detroit #3. They meet in the Western Semis.

After losing the first two games at home, Colorado wins in 6. DDCCCC.

But the Avs lost in 7 to Dallas in the Western Finals.

Head-to-head: Colorado 2, Detroit 1
Stanley Cups: Colorado 1, Detroit 2

1999-2000
This year Colorado was the #3 seed, Detroit #4. They meet again in the Western Semis.

Colorado wins in 5, CCDCC.

The Avs fall to Dallas in 7 again.

Head-to-head: Colorado 3, Detroit 1
Stanley Cups: Colorado 1, Detroit 2

2000-01
These two teams were the best in the West again this year. Colorado #1, Detroit #2.

But the Wings lost in the first round.

The Avs beat the Devils in 7 to take the Cup.

Head-to-head: Colorado 3, Detroit 1
Stanley Cups: Colorado 2, Detroit 2

2001-02
A year later Detroit is the #1 seed, Colorado #2. They meet in the Western Finals.

The Wings won in 7 in a series that included three OT games, though game 7 was 7-0. DCDCCDD.

Detroit then beat Carolina in 5 to take the Cup.

Head-to-head: Colorado 3, Detroit 2
Stanley Cups: Colorado 2, Detroit 3

- - -

Though the teams would reach the playoffs throughout the 2000s they wouldn't play each other or win a Cup until...

2007-08
The Wings were the #1 seed, the Avs #6.

They meet in the Western Semis and the Wings sweep. They go on to win the Cup again, defeating the Penguins in 6. (Pittsburgh would beat the Wings in 7 the following year.)

Head-to-head: Colorado 3, Detroit 3
Stanley Cups: Colorado 2, Detroit 4

- - -

Seven years. 5 times Detroit or Colorado won the Cup. 5 times they faced each other in the playoffs. Amazing.

I'm actually surprised it was that close. If you exclude the 2007 season, which featured different players, the total is:

Head-to-head: Colorado 3, Detroit 2
Stanley Cups: Colorado 2, Detroit 3

As a neutral observer it seemed that Detroit usually got the better of Colorado. I suppose the extra championship and the 7-0 shellacking of Roy will do that to someone's memory.