So many have said so much, both here, in the Free Press, and in the Pittsburgh paper as well; but, my wife and I watched one hell-of-a hockey game last night that should have been scored 5-0 - but that's another issue.

The Wings played very well; and, it seems to me that the inability of the Pens to do what they "normally" do was due in no small part to the fact that they were playing the Wings - not the Rangers or the Flyers. The Wings have been the best team in the NHL all year, day in and day out - and that cannot be discounted. They are a very good team; and, I believe - a team of destiny.

This is to take nothing away from the Pens who are a fine team too, and surely, the Wings are not going to cruise through this series
by any means, but I'll be surprised if they don't ultimately take it. Having said that - this is some great hockey being played.

What a wonderful play Sammy made to score the first goal - taking the puck from behind the blue line, skating virtually unmolested around the net back and coming in for a wrap-a-round - WOW, some play. There was good checking, crisp passing and tons of heads-up
play on both sides. I recall one of the most incredible moves I've ever seen when Crosby came across the blue line with the puck and headed inward towards the net; he ran into a defenseman who had great position so Crosby reversed his body to the outside with a single body-flip-in-motion and didn't slow down an iota - he was stopped on that play but that one move showed me what he's capable of - WOW.

My big problem with the NHL is that Crosby is a great player, but so is Datsyuk, and Lidstrom, and Zetterberg, and Modano, and Sakic, and Hossa, etc.,... Don't make this league revolve around one guy - Gordie Howe's and Wayne Gretzky's don't come down the path every year - sell the league, not one player. The NBA has been looking for the "next Michael Jordan" since he retired - the hell with it, there is no "next Michael Jordan" - promote the league and all the great players therein and let the cream rise to the top.

Hey, I'm starting to rant so it's time to go,...well, it's not just time to go, it's time to - GO RED WINGS! Cheers.