Detroit Red Wings

Lore & Background

The most significant chapter in this rivalry is the 1995 Stanley Cup Final. The Devils, led by goaltender Martin Brodeur and coach Jacques Lemaire's neutral-zone trap, entered as heavy underdogs against a Red Wings team that had won the Presidents' Trophy. New Jersey swept Detroit in four games, with Randy McKay scoring the winning goal in game six of the Eastern Conference Final against the Philadelphia Flyers to send the Devils to that championship round. The sweep was a monumental upset, as the Red Wings were heavily favored. The series also had a lingering consequence: the Red Wings had previously lost McKay to the Devils as compensation for signing free agent Troy Crowder, a move Detroit senior vice president Jim Devellano resisted and later regretted, as Crowder played only seven games before a serious injury while McKay developed into a key contributor for New Jersey.

In Their Own Story

The 1995 Stanley Cup Final was a coronation for the Devils and a shock to the Red Wings. Detroit had dominated the regular season, but New Jersey's system suffocated their attack. The Devils won Game 1 in overtime, then took a commanding 3-0 series lead. In Game 4, the Devils completed the sweep on home ice, securing the franchise's first championship. McKay, who had scored the conference-clinching goal, was a physical presence throughout the series.

Reader's Guide

For fans visiting the Prudential Center when the Red Wings are in town, the rivalry is a reminder of the Devils' defining moment. The 1995 Stanley Cup Final sweep is the centerpiece of this matchup. Key figures include Randy McKay, who scored the winning goal in the 1995 Eastern Conference Final to send the Devils to that championship. The series also highlighted the contrasting styles: Detroit's skilled, offensive attack versus New Jersey's disciplined, defensive structure. The rivalry also has a what-if element: the Red Wings traded McKay to the Devils as compensation for signing Troy Crowder, a move that backfired when Crowder played only seven games. This trade helped build the Devils' depth, as McKay became a solid third-line player and a key part of the 1995 and 2000 Cup-winning teams. The 1995 sweep remains the defining moment of this rivalry, a testament to the Devils' ability to upset a powerhouse on the biggest stage.

Did You Know?

• Randy McKay scored the winning goal in game six of the 1995 Eastern Conference Final against the Philadelphia Flyers, sending the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final.
• The Devils swept the heavily-favored Detroit Red Wings in four games to win their first Stanley Cup in 1995.
• McKay was originally a Detroit Red Wings draft pick (sixth round, 113th overall in 1985) before being sent to New Jersey as compensation for the Red Wings signing free agent Troy Crowder.
• Crowder played only seven games for Detroit before a serious injury, while McKay became a key contributor for the Devils, including a +30 plus/minus in 1997–98.
• On October 28, 2000, McKay and teammate John Madden each scored four goals in a 9–0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the first time two teammates each scored four goals since 1922.