Recap
Under new Coach Dave Lewis the Red Wings remained a top contender in the NHL despite missing Steve Yzerman for the first 80% of the season, and a mediocre season from new goalie Curtis Joseph, posting a record of 48-20-10-4, good enough to win the Central Division. Along the way Brett Hull became the 6th player in NHL history to score 700 career goals in February 10th game against the San Jose Sharks at the Joe. In the playoffs the Red Wings were matched up against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, most thought it would be a cake walk for the defending champions, but after losing Game 1 in triple overtime 2-1, despite 64 shots on goal it was apparent the Wings were facing a tough task in Ducks goalie Jean-Sebatien Giguere. Game 2 would bring more frustration as the Ducks rallied to win 3-2 and take a 2-0 series lead to Anaheim. A year after rallying from 0-2 against the Vancouver Canucks the Red Wings hole would get deeper as they lost Game 3, by a score of 2-1 despite peppering Giguere with 37 shots. The Wings would not recover as they would lose overtime again 3-2 in Game 4, becoming the first defending champion in 52 years to be swept in the first round.
