Wings Up 2-0

Wasn’t this the year that Cindy and the Pens took the next step in “becoming the Oilers”? Well, so far, nothing is going to plan. The Wings –those old, beaten down, injured, no dynamic scoring, no goalie, Wings– are up 2-0. They are getting balanced scoring up and down the lineup, posting a pair of 3-1 wins this weekend. Cindy Crosby, the supposed best two way player in the game, is getting shut down by Henrik Zetterberg. Sure, Zetterberg has exactly 1 point, an assist, so far in the Finals, but Crosby has the big goose egg. Malkin has just one assist as well.

Shut down Crosby and Malkin, and who scores for the Penguins? Fedotenko? Where has Chris Kunitz disappeared to? Sure, Gonchar’s hurt, but so is Lidstrom.

Shut down Zetterberg, then people like Filpulla (1 G), Holmstrom (2 A), Hossa (2 A), Hudler (1 G), Helm (1 G, 1 A), and Franzen (1 G) put up the scoring. Keep in mind, Datsyuk hasn’t played yet.

So much for Chris Osgood not being a top goalie. Everyone, including myself, wrote him off after his shaky season and inconsistent play in the playoffs. He has been brilliant, stopping 62 of 64 shots (31 of 32 in both games). If there were any questions of his Hall of Fame candidacy, there were silenced this weekend. He will go to the Hall. The fact of the matter is that Detroit is just so well balanced, and they have the right players: Skill guys who play defense, and still average a point a game in the regular season.

Can Pittsburgh get back in the series? Sure. You can’t silence Crosby/Malkin forever. But they need a sweep at home to even have a chance. If Detroit wins once in Pittsburgh, it’s over.