On Monday, former Detroit Red Wings superstar Sergei Fedorov was inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame alongside long-time teammate Nicklas Lidstorm, Chris Pronger, Phil Housley, Angela Ruggiero, Bill Hay, and Peter Karmanos Jr. Tonight, Fedorov is honored by the Red Wings as they take on another former team of Fedorov’s, the Capitals, at Joe Louis Arena.
Fedorov dazzled the NHL for 20 years with his speed, finesse, and all-world goal-scoring abilities. With the Red Wings honoring Fedorov tonight, The Hockey Writers honors him by showcasing the Top 5 moments of Fedorov’s illustrious career.
5. Shadowing Super Mario
With Steve Yzerman on the sideline in the 2002-03 season, Fedorov stepped up to fill the void. When Mario Lemieux’s Pittsburgh Penguins came to town, Fedorov was tasked with shutting down one of the NHL’s top players in Super Mario. Sergei answered the call in a big way: completely shutting down Lemieux and scoring a hat trick in the process.
4. Fedorov Downs the Capitals
After his contract holdout was resolved, Fedorov found himself in the Stanley Cup Finals against the Washington Capitals. Late in Game 3 with the score tied at 1, Fedorov put the game away with a dazzling short-side snipe on Olaf Kolzig. His game-winning goal completely deflated the Capitals, as they had scored to tie the game 5 minutes earlier.
3. Vintage Fedorov
In an almost identical setting 11 years later, Fedorov scored an eventual game-winning goal for the Capitals in Game 7 against the New York Rangers. His goal would seal the series and propel the Capitals into the second round of the playoffs for the first time since the previously mentioned 1998 playoff season. The best part about this goal was the vintage-Fedorov move he pulled in his final season in the NHL.
2. Sergei Slips One Past Roy
In Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals, the Red Wings were presented with the opportunity to eliminate the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche and advance to the finals or head to Colorado for Game 7. In typical clutch fashion, Fedorov put the Red Wings up 2-0 in the third period, opening up a tight game and bringing Joe Louis Arena to its feet. His goal would go on to become the game-winning goal.
1. Fedorov Single-Handedly Defeats the Capitals
Sergei has had just a history with the Capitals. Early in the 1996-97 season, Fedorov and the Russian 5 absolutely dominated Washington. Red Wings fans witnessed something special as Fedorov exploded for five goals against the Capitals, including the game-winning overtime goal. This game was a condensed example of how Fedorov could carry the Red Wings and single-handedly dominate a game.
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@PolakWolak