This was Detroit’s 23rd appearance in the championship series, and its first since winning the Cup in 2002. This was Detroit’s 11th Stanley Cup title and was also the first Cup Final between two United States-based NHL teams since 2003. This was also Pittsburgh’s third appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, and its first since winning consecutive championships in 1991 and 1992.

The 2008 Stanley Cup Final marked the first time that the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins have met in postseason play. The Red Wings and Penguins did not play each other during the 2007–08 regular season.

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The 1999 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Eastern Conference champion Buffalo Sabres and the Western Conference champion Dallas Stars. It was the 106th year of the Stanley Cup. The Stars were led by captain Derian Hatcher, coach Ken Hitchcock and goalie Ed Belfour. It was the third appearance for the Stars’ franchise, and their first since moving to Dallas from Minnesota in 1993. Minnesota lost the finals to the New York Islanders in 1981 and to Pittsburgh in 1991.

This was the first time since 1994 that the Finals did not end in a sweep.

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