Wings poised for repeat

No. 1 DETROIT RED WINGS Primary Strengths The defending Cup champions were the top offensive team in the NHL-although they had no player among the league leaders-and had the No. 7-ranked team defense. Special teams were indeed special-top five in both power play and penalty killing-and no team had been better (14-5-3) after the Olympic break. Crucial Weaknesses Vladimir Konstantinov’s grit and talent haven’t been replaced and netminder Chris Osgood has yet to prove to he can carry a team to the Cup. Osgood wasn’t among the goaltending leaders in any category except wins. THN Outlook Coach Scotty Bowman knows his team’s and other teams’ capabilities better than any coach in the NHL. As well as the Wings have played this season, they clearly have another gear. If they get goaltending,…

SCOREBOARD

STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS

SCORING LEADERS SEASON-BY-SEASON Players who led regular season and playoff scoring in same year bolded 1997 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE Conference Finals Philadelphia 4, Rangers 1: May 16: Phialdelphia 3, Rangers 1. May 18: Rangers 5, Philadlephia 4. May 20: Philadelphia 6, Rangers 3. May 23: Philadelphia 3. Rangers 2. May 25: Philadelphia 4. Rangers 2. Conference Semifinals Philadelphia 4, Buffalo 1: May 3: Philadelphia 5, Buffalo 3. May 5: Philadelphia 2, Buffalo 1. May 7: Philadlephia 4, Buffalo 1. May 9: Buffalo 5, Philadelphia 4 (OT). May 11: Philadelphia 6, Buffalo 3. Rangers 4, New Jersey 1: May 2: New Jersey 2, Rangers 0. May 4: Rangers 2, New Jersey 0. May 6: Rangers 3, New Jersey 2. May 8: Rangers 3, New Jersey 0. May 11: Rangers 2, New Jersey 1 (OT). Conference Quarterfinals Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh…

Gypsy days finally over? Kesa hopes so in Detroit

Dan Kesa’s confidence was at a low ebb in 1995-96. He was bouncing around from team to team like a minor league version of Michel Petit and was convinced his career had hit a wall. He played three games for the Dallas Stars that year, but spent the majority of time in the minors, going from the Michigan K-Wings of the International League to the Springfield Falcons of the American League to the IHL’s Detroit Vipers. When that last stop occurred, the 6-foot, 200-pound center wasn’t sure what to think. But upon his arrival in Detroit, Vipers’ GM Rick Dudley sat him down and the two had a chat. “Rick pulled me aside and said he felt I was one of the best players in the AHL,” Kesa said. “That does a great deal…