Red Wings 5, Stars 3
One primary thought after this 5-3 victory over Dallas. Let's see, the Wings clinched a playoff berth (17th in a row, the Yankees are next closest with 13 in pro sports), a 7th straight Central Division title, and reached 100 points for an 8th straight time (tying Montreal's NHL mark 1974-82). Chris Osgood made a good comment afterward about how all that is easy to take for granted when playing for the Red Wings. That's true. Many fans are becoming accustomed to all the success. Ho hum, another 100 point season and trip to the playoffs. Trust me, this is not easy. Winning in pro sports is anything but easy. Especially in the NHL, after the lockout, with all the player movement and the salary cap, which has created unprecedented parity. What the Wings have accomplished, especially after the lockout when most everyone suspected they would fall off, has been remarkable. Osgood also said the organization and players should be proud for all these achievements. So many players go through their careers without reaching the playoffs. He's right, again.
