Not much else to say. Tonight’s tilt is as big as they come.

We have been fortunate in recent years to witness several episodes of a Game 7 to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup. For the fifth time in the past 8 Final series, we are able to enjoy viewing a single deciding game to lift the Cup.

In those four previous encounters during this decade, the home team is 4-0, outscoring the opposition 11-3.

History will be made one way or the other tonight. Pittsburgh could become only the second team ever to rebound from a 2-0 series deficit to win the Stanley Cup. In addition, they could become the first team since the 1971 Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup on the road in a Game 7.

On the flip side, Detroit is looking to win back-to-back titles for the 2nd time within 12 seasons and their fifth championship overall during that span.

I predicted at the start of this series that Pittsburgh would challenge a beat-up Red Wings club and stretch this thing to seven games. I predicted the Red Wings would prevail and Chris Osgood would win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

No reason to change my mind now.

Look for a Detroit 3-1 victory tonight as the Red Wings win their 12th Stanley Cup in franchise history in front of a frenzied Joe Louis Arena crowd.


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Catch me live on XM Radio – Home Ice (Channel 204) with Jim “Boomer” Gordon at 6:05 Eastern as we preview tonight’s game.



mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com