DETROIT -- The only thing worse than an extra day in Detroit is an extra day in Detroit when it's raining. It has been raining all day, so there aren't as many people out in the streets creating the buzz that comes with Game Seven in the Stanley Cup finals. It's certain to change tomorrow.
Nothing in sports is better than a Game Seven in hockey, especially when it's the Stanley Cup in a great hockey town. I was there when Tampa won in seven (Dave Andreychuk), and it was actually quiet in the streets after the game. I'm just hoping fans don't riot in the streets no matter what happens in the game. After all, it's hockey -- not Halloween.
The Wings and Pens appeared pretty loose today, other than Marian Hossa, of course. His lack of production has started to wear on him to the point that coach Mike Babcock basically told him to chill out, forget about not scoring and play the game. It would be something if Hossa snapped out of his Cup funk and scored the winner in Game Seven -- in overtime.
Most signs still point toward Detroit winning the Cup. The Wings are 11-2 and have won eight straight in the Joe, including three wins over the Pens. The Wings have a 5-1 record and have outscored the Pens, 21-6, at home over the past two years. The Cup reached seven games 14 times in history, and the home team has won 12. Pittsburgh, however, is 4-0 in Game Sevens on the road.
What does it mean? Not much, actually, after they drop the puck. The key for both teams will be getting off to a good start and keeping it together. Pittsburgh has actually played well in the opening seven minutes or so of all three game in Motown. They could have won either of the first two games before getting buried in Game Five.
Who wins the Cup? Who wins the Conn Smythe?
--- Bucky Gleason
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