Monday night's triple overtime thriller at the Joe was simply amazing. So amazing in fact that had the Wings won and clinched the Stanely Cup in that 3rd OT, I would have called it the most incredible hockey I'd ever seen.

Think about it. How many times in your lifetime are you going to see the Cup won in triple overtime o####ame as exciting as that Game 5 was? The action was fast and furious. The goaltenting was jaw-dropping. The skill level was world-class from start to finish.

As it was I can only call the game a classic since the Cup wasn't clinched in the end. However, with the third period of game three and this stunner added to the mix with at least one more game to go, I would say the NHL and hockey fans everywhere are getting exactly what they'd hoped for out of this series. Those in Detroit just have to hope it ends with championship number 11 for their team. 

 

The Stanley Cup Finals are once again back in Detroit and the Red Wings are already up a game on the upstart Pittsburgh Penguins.

I fully expect the Wings to take this series in a hard fought 5 games. The Pens have some of the very best young talent in the league in Sidney Crosby, Eric Staal, Evgeni Malkin, and Marc-Andre Fluery in net. But as you saw in game one, the Wings defense is not going to be easy to beat, nor is their last line of defense, Chris Osgood.

I said it before the playoffs ever started that I'd ride Oz till the wheels fell off. Mike Babcock chose to go with Dominik Hasek to begin the run and that was right seeing as he is the head coach. But there was little doubt in my mind then, and absolutely no doubt now that Osgood was the right man to lead the charge. Now he and the Wings sit 3 wins shy of a triumphant parade around the rink with the Stanley Cup lifted high above their heads.

The Penguins won't go without a fight, but they will go. I'll be surprised if it takes six games. Yes, the winged-wheel is once again rollin' at top speed in the Motor City.