Well, I'm confused. I've read the Freep and the Gazette, and the Hockey News, and Fox Sports and it just doesn't make sense - so many folks looking for the Red Wings to lose - duh?

I believe, without argumentation, that the Wings are the best team in the NHL and the Penguins are the best in the eastern conference; but, I think the east is nowhere near as strong as the west team-for-team. All that being written, my boys are currently in the midst of an onslaught of nagging little injuries that keep sneaking up and pulling our stars out for one, two or more games; that's do-able in the early rounds, but this is the finals - you can't live like that!

The Swede is supposed to play tonight, but Dats is out and Drapes is still out. Ericsson just had an appendix removed - how in the hell are you going to play world-class hockey when you just had your appendix removed? So, I don't know.

In my heart? The Wings - I think they are deep enough, and strong enough, and smart enough to win it this year, and next year as well (boy, that's a mouthful; bet Babs would love to hear that - no wonder they don't call me for advice, huh?)but I don't know how many games it'll take to win this year's finals.

My thought is if you shut down Crosby and Malkin then the Pens are in trouble, but, can you shut down Crosby and Malkin? How much longer is Dats going to be out? What about the inner pressure on Hossa - if any - about playing against Pittsburgh?

Batten down the hatches folks - four hours till we launch. So the only thing left to say is - GO RED WINGS!...............mwh