DETROIT ? Talk about pressure. …

If Detroit fails to win the Stanley Cup over Carolina, its season will be regarded as a failure by the Red Wings and their fans.

“Nobody is going to remember who comes in second,” said Tomas Holmstrom, who has seven playoff goals. “This is nothing. We have to go all the way.”

After Friday’s 7-0 series clinching win over Colorado, Brett Hull was wearing a T-shirt that read “16 Nothing Less” regarding the number of wins needed to win the Stanley Cup.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Hull said. “That’s what it takes to get there.”

Since Day 1 in training camp, pressure has been heaped on Detroit’s collection of future Hall of Famers to win the Stanley Cup.

After losing the first two games of the playoffs to Vancouver, the Red Wings won eight of their next nine games over the Canucks and St. Louis to set the stage for the matchup all hockey fans wanted to see Colorado and Detroit.

“It’s a huge relief,” Detroit’s Igor Larionov said.

A glance at the betting lines shows oddsmakers believe Detroit will hoist the Cup easily. The opener is Tuesday.

A gambler in Las Vegas picking Detroit to win the series would have to wager $750 to win $100, while a $100 bet on the Hurricanes would turn into $550 if they pull off the shocking upset.

“I think it’s going to be tighter than people expect,” Colorado’s Joe Sakic said.