Detroit was the only team in the NHL to beat Boston three times during the regular season. The biggest advantage Detroit has is its team speed. That is an area where Boston struggled with last year in their opening series with Toronto.

Detroit overcame a lot of injuries and got hot in time to make the postseason. They have a nice combo of young players who won the Calder Cup.

Last season the Red Wings knocked off the second-seeded Anaheim Ducks and had three chances to finish off the eventual Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, before losing in seven games.

Detroit vets playoff experience Alfredsson has 51 playoff goals in 121 games to rank fourth among active players; Johan Franzen has 42 playoff goals and Datsyuk has 36.