Did the NHL really get its dream matchup? Sure, I know Bettman’s smiling about how high the ratings are (Game 1 was the highest rated finals opener in six years, and the highest rated game in Versus’ short NHL telecasting history), and they’re bound to get higher in the States with the remainder of the series shifting to NBC. But speaking for myself, I’ve gotta wonder what the “casual fan” of the NHL must be thinking. Is THIS matchup the best they’ve got to offer? Granted, the Wings did what they’re SUPPOSED to do: win Games 1 and 2 on their home ice (hence the home ice advantage, what they’ve played for during the regular season). I’m just not so sure anyone thought it’d be this much of a cakewalk. But before you start the ticker-tape parade down Woodward Ave., remember Detroit’s still got two more games to win, and they must leave the comfy confines of Joe Louis Arena to do it. Now it’s up to Pittsburgh to hold serve and defend their house. It’s not gonna be an easy task, and they’re gonna have to earn it (am I missing any other Captain Obvious-type clichés here?!?). But the biggest difference thus far is that Detroit has made Pittsburgh pay dearly for its mistakes (esp. on their brutal giveaways, that’s just what a championship caliber team does), while the Pens have not capitalized on the Wings’ rare miscues. The Penguins will have to turn the tables tonight by being the aggressor….winning the battles in the corners, winning key face-offs in their end (and anywhere else for that matter), not being scared to get physical with the Wings’ top forwards. Of course, that’s all easier said than done. Even the best laid game plans can be laid to waste quickly. But those are the things Detroit has done this series (and all through these playoffs). They say the best form of flattery is imitation….perhaps Therrien will take notes on what the Wings have done thus far. END ANALYSIS (it’s all been done….)
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A few other things I’ve noticed so far:
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• Was anyone else impressed by the physical play of Pavel Datsyuk? What caught my eye was when Ryan Malone checked Henrik Zetterberg into the boards just after a whistle was blown in Game 2, and Datsyuk got in Malone’s face IMMEDIATELY, more or less making a statement: You don’t mess with us. Combine that with Nik Kronwall’s heavy hitting (I just wish he’d stay on his feet….trust me, it’ll save him a suspension at some point in the future), and the age-old stereotype of the soft, unemotional, shies-away-from-contact European hockey player can be left at the door with your dirty shoes.

• Darryl Sydor is in, while Kris Letang is out for Pittsburgh….I wonder if Val Filppula’s public undressing of Letang on Game 2’s 3rd goal had anything to do with that. Or perhaps it’s that the Pens total number of Cup rings in the lineup will double from 2 (one each for Sykora and Roberts) to 4 (Dallas in 1999 and Tampa in 2004 for Darryl). Can a Penguins fan tell me why he was sitting….was he injured? A little help from the people is always appreciated.

• Can anyone else recall a game where a player had not just one, but TWO unassisted goals, like Samuelsson did in Game 1? Who saw that coming?

• Apparently having Detroit in the Finals doesn’t make for a long series. The last four finals the Red Wings were in were no longer than 5 games long. The back-to-back Cups in 1997 and 1998 were both sweeps (over Philly and Washington, respectively), while the Wings rattled off four straight wins over Carolina after dropping the opener at JLA in 2002. But don’t forget 1995, when the Wings fell victim to a sweep over New Jersey. Detroit has also won Cups in 1943 and 1952 via sweep, and were swept themselves in 1941, 1948 and 1949. All of this doesn’t leave me much hope that this will go seven games (which was my only hope for this series, considering my general lack of emotional investment in this series).

• Cheer up Pittsburgh fans, here’s a brief history lesson: Five years ago, Anaheim dropped Games 1 & 2 to New Jersey in the Finals, both via shutout. They came back and went on to force Game 7 before eventually falling to the Devils. Moral of the story: Don’t give up on your team. While it may not be 2003 vs. the Devils, your boys fought hard to get here.
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Finally, several of my faithful readers have inquired about my playoff beard. It’s still growing, but surprisingly isn’t all that itchy. You’ll all see the final results shortly after this series ends.