Long-time Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman has far too many memorable moments wearing the iconic Winged Wheel to be put into a single list, but we’ve narrowed down what we think are his top five games aside from the three Stanley Cup wins. Let’s re-live some Detroit Red Wings glory!
Nation, do you agree with our top 5?
5 Game 1, 1999 Western Conference Quarter-Finals
The Detroit Red Wings entered their quest for a three-peat against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, whom they’d swept two years prior. Steve Yzerman took over Game 1, scoring a hat trick that powered the Red Wings to a 5-3 victory en route to yet another sweep of the Mighty Ducks.
4 Game 2, 1996 Western Conference Semi-Finals
After a first-round series win over the Winnipeg Jets, the Red Wings moved on to face the St. Louis Blues, led by Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull. A 3-2 opening game victory by Detroit set the stage for the Captain to take over Game 2. Two goals and three assists by Steve Yzerman powered the Red Wings to an 8-3 victory.
3 Steve Yzerman, November 17, 1990
Yzerman put on a show for the fans in attendance at the legendary Maple Leaf Gardens, scoring a natural hat trick against the Maple Leafs and adding two assists for good measure. He would record 108 points total during the 1990-91 season.
2 500th Career Goal – January 17, 1996
The Captain joined some exclusive company when he potted his 500th career goal past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy in 1996.
1 Game 7, 1996 Western Conference Semi-Finals
Hardly any explanation needed. Aside from winning three Stanley Cup titles, this is arguably The Captain’s finest moment in a Red Wings uniform. A double-overtime blast to defeat the St. Louis Blues and send Detroit to the Western Conference Finals – in a Game 7, no less – will live on as one of the great moments not only in Steve Yzerman’s career but in Red Wings history.
