6 replies to this topic

[DropThePuck]

Ten years ago today, the Red Wings' Russian Five lineup debuted -- marking the first time in NHL history that five Russians played on the same unit.

The Red Wings were in Calgary and coach Scotty Bowman shuffled all four of his forward lines. Detroit won the game, 3-0, with Slava Kozlov and Igor Larionov scoring goals and Sergei Fedorov getting two assists.

But putting Kozlov, Larionov and Fedorov on the ice with defensemen Slava Fetisov and Vladimir Konstantinov did a lot more for the Red Wings than help them get two points in the standings. The Russian Five is a large reason why the Red Wings are the franchise they are today: a puck-control team that is highly skilled.

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[Kimi]

Best line ever! I wish I could have seen those guys play live.

[beba91]

yeaa those were the good years

[ahtikullervo]

And Red Wings got nicknamed "Commie Wings"...

But those were all Great players...

I would have loved to see Krutov-Larionov-Makarov line in NHL...

[Excoriar]

I still remember one of the replacements on that line was something Brown. Doug I think... But they had an interview and he said the Russians were calling him Brownov because he could play with them.

Ahh... the good 'ol days...

[THE Mighty Duck Man 84]

a big joke that made its way around Detroit when the Wings got knocked out of the playoffs in the years with the Russian 5 was because of the new player's last name ... Summerov














(get it? Summerov = Summer off) please tell me you got it

[PortBeach13]

The good 'ol days!