Things bouncing around in my head !
Pavel Datsuk is arguably the Wings best player, depending how you look at it, between him and Hendrick Zetterberg.
Where would the Pens be if they played the first 4 games without Crosby and or Malkin ?
How is Pavel Datsuk feeling today ?
Wings could be without Pavel for the next game .... all depends on how the foot responds today and how it was after he took his skate off last night.
Have you ever seen home Ice/field/court mean MORE than in the NHL Playoffs ?
Home Ice never guarantees anything, but it sure does help. Remember the Wings did NOT win the President's cup (most points ) this year, that went to San Jose.
Many years the Presidents cup is a guarantee to NOT win it all.
Detroit has broke that curse several times in recent history.
Wings going back to Pittsburgh, now it's the Pens turn to hold home ice advantage...
Will we have similar results ?
The Wings now have the opportunity to have Z and Pavel on separate lines now, meaning they don't have to have Z follow him all over the ice if they don't want too. They can split time with Crosby's line, this too should help in the overall scheme of things.
What's up with this schedule NHL ?
They RUSH the first 2 games to a weekend back to back (for NBC I'm sure) ... then back to normal where you play every other night, now they play 2 games in 7 days ?????
fwiw, Datsuk had 2 assist, played over 17 minutes and was a +3 on the night.
I expect another very good game between these two powerhouses.
Jimbo