PITTSBURGH -- When Daniel Alfredsson pulled off the stunner of the NHL off-season by leaving the Ottawa Senators as a free agent, the rationale he gave was simple: He thought the Detroit Red Wings offered him a better chance to win the Stanley Cup. Salomon Speedcross 3 CS Baratas . At the time, skeptics looked at the Senators and questioned if that was true. They had just overcome injuries to Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Craig Anderson to reach the second round of the playoffs, and even Alfredsson saw a bright future ahead. Playing into his 40s, Alfredsson just didnt "have the time to wait for that." As a disappointing season unfolded in Ottawa, it became clear the longtime Senators captain was right, and on Wednesday night the Red Wings validated his decision to sign in Detroit by making the playoffs and giving him another opportunity to chase the Cup. "Thats what you play for: to get into the playoffs," Alfredsson said after the Red Wings clinched with a shootout loss in Pittsburgh. "I played a long time in this league, I played a lot of playoff games but I havent won the Stanley Cup, and thats what you dream about. Thats the only reason Im still playing." The easy move, as Alfredsson acknowledged July 5, wouldve been to re-sign with the Senators and play out a career that would then include his No. 11 being raised to the rafters and maybe a statue being built outside Canadian Tire Centre. Leaving immediately clouded his legacy. In the wake of Alfredssons departure, the Senators couldnt seem to get out of a fog early and were never able to catch up. They missed the playoffs for the third time in six years, but even from afar the former face of that franchise didnt get any satisfaction in watching the Sens struggle. "I was hoping that they would do well, theres no question," Alfredsson said Tuesday in Buffalo. "Other than that, my focus is solely on this team and on the present and finishing out this season strong." Led by Alfredsson and fellow Swede Gustav Nyquist, the Red Wings made a strong push to qualify for the playoffs on the night they played their 80th game of the season. And they did so despite missing stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg for almost half the season due to injuries, while Alfredsson, himself, missed 13 games. Thanks to major contributions from young players like Nyquist and Tomas Tatar, Detroit overcame those and many more injuries to make a 23rd consecutive playoff appearance. The Red Wings also leaned heavily veteran defenceman Niklas Kronwall, Alfredsson and coach Mike Babcock to steady the ship. "I think theres a few factors: goaltendings been consistent for us, I think Kronwall has pulled a really heavy load throughout the year on and off the ice for this team," Alfredsson said. "And (the) coaching staff, as well, adjusting to the team we have and giving us a chance and a game plan to win every night. Theyve been pushing us hard. Its been hard-fought to get here, but it feels great." A season full of injuries putting a coach in line for a Jack Adams Award -- sound familiar? Ottawas Paul MacLean won it last year, and Babcock will be a serious candidate given how many Red Wings regulars missed time this season. Of course someone has to score to make that happen. Alfredssons 49 points on 18 goals and 31 assists have him tied with Kronwall for the team lead with two games left. Alfredsson was all smiles in the visiting locker room Wednesday night after helping Detroit pick up the one point it needed to make it. And while clinching a playoff spot was a proud accomplishment, he didnt deny doubts crept in when the Red Wings learned Datsyuk and Zetterberg would be out for a while. "We knew it was going to be tough," Alfredsson said. "We had a similar situation in Ottawa last year where we lost Spezza, Karlsson, (Milan) Michalek and Anderson for longer periods of time. "If you get something going and you get a good feeling within a locker-room, you can accomplish a lot of things, and I think thats what weve done. Were a good group, we have fun and we know how to work for each other. Its kind of contagious when you see everybody going. Everybody kind of drags along and knows that they have to pull their share, as well." Taking a step back from the situations, Alfredsson didnt see much more of a correlation between the triumphs of the 2013 Senators and the 2013-14 Red Wings. In his estimation, this year was worse. "I think in Ottawa it was more right away we knew a few guys were out for longer periods of time," he said. "It wasnt as much guys coming back, guys coming out. Weve been shuffling lines for most of the year but still found ways to get everybody contributing." Alfredsson was one of 34 skaters to dress for the Red Wings this season, second only to the Penguins (37) among playoff teams. Beyond Nyquist and Tatar, Detroit likely wouldnt have extended its NHL-best playoff streak were it not for minor-league call-ups Riley Sheahan, Luke Glendening and Tomas Jurco. The kids -- a couple of whom werent even alive the last time the Red Wings missed the playoffs -- are all right in Alfredssons eyes. But he also believes Babcock and his staff deserve some credit. "They gave them that chance and didnt make it a big deal," Alfredsson said. "Its just, You can do this. I think that gave them confidence. They definitely made the most of it. I think Coach gave them a chance, and they repaid him with solid play." Anything less than solid play wouldve meant an early summer for the Red Wings and a quicker start to the retirement questions for Alfredsson. Instead, the 41-year-old winger gets to compete in the playoffs for the 15th time in his NHL career. This time is extra special because of how difficult it was. "I think we worked extremely hard to get to this point, and it feels great," Alfredsson said. "This group has overcome a lot of adversity and that makes it even more fun." Salomon Speedcross 3 CS Trail . Justine finished first with a score of 22.44 while Chloe was second with 21.66 points. Defending champion Hannah Kearney of the U.S., was third at 21.49. A third Dufour-Lapointe sister, Maxime, failed to make the final group and finished 12th while Audrey Robichaud of Quebec City was 10th. Comprar Zapatillas Salomon Hombre . Sam, who joined the Cowboys in early September, has spent the entire season on the practice roster. http://www.zapatillassalomonoutlet.es/zapatillas-salomon-hombre-baratas.html .The seventh-seeded Raonic was scheduled to play U.S. Open finalist Kei Nishikori of Japan, but was replaced in the Group B pool by Spanish substitute David Ferrer.Raonic, who was 0-2 at the year-end event, said he suffered the injury late in the first set of Tuesdays 6-3, 7-6 loss to Murray.Officials announced on Thursday that PGA TOUR champion Gary Woodland will be the second player to represent Team World in the inaugural Canada Cup Match to take place at Ashburn Golf Club – New Course in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Monday, June 30, 2014. The Canada Cup is part of GOLFest Nova Scotia, a week-long celebration of national pride and all things golf in Canada that will also feature a Web.com Tour event, the Nova Scotia Open, from June 29 to July 6, 2014. After turning professional in 2007, Woodland quickly ascended to the PGA TOUR. He had a break-through season in 2011 which included six top-10 finishes and a victory at the Transitions Championship (now Valspar Championship), where he sunk a clutch 10-foot putt for par on the 72nd hole to win by one stroke over U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson. More recently, the Topeka, Kansas native claimed his second PGA TOUR victory at the 2013 Reno-Tahoe Open. Woodland currently sits at number eighteen on the 2014 FedExCup points list. He is an alumnus of the Web.com Tour, having made 14 starts in 2010, which included four top-20 finishes. Known for his power and athleticism, Woodlands style will be a great exhibition for spectators. His length is the perfect complement to Kuchars consistency and patience. Canada Cup fans could be in for a treat if Kuchar and Woodland get paired together for team alternate shot. The Canada Cup will not be the first time this duo has paired up in international team competition. In 2011, Kuchar and Woodland represented the UUnited States at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup (now ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf) where they won by two strokes over England and Germany. Salomon Fellraiser Hombre. . "Match play competitions always bring out the best in players ability and personality. The pressure and energy of match play creates a great environment for players and fans alike. Playing with Matt and representing the United States at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup was a great experience. I look forward to representing the World with Matt and our remaining teammates as we take on Team Canada at the Canada Cup in a week that includes both Canada Day and Independence Day," said Woodland. DeLaet and Woodland are two of the longer ball strikers on tour, while Weir, Hearn and Kuchar are three of the most consistent. Although the Canada Cup pairings are still undetermined, one thing is for certain, that fans will bear witness to an exhibition of world-class golf by top PGA TOUR and Web.com Tour professionals. "Matt and Gary are both great players with very different styles of play which will be entertaining for spectators to watch. Match play is a great format that we dont get to play a lot of on the PGA TOUR. I cant wait to play in front of the Canadian fans in a match play setting again. I look forward to welcoming Matt and Gary to Halifax and sharing this experience with Graham and David," said Weir. ' ' '