Old School: Wings Take Penguins To Class

Wow. What a performance by the Detroit Red Wings in game one of the Stanley Cup finals. Their convincing 4-0 victory not only humbled but probably flattered the Pittsburgh Penguins.

During the ridiculous wait for the series to start so much was made about the Red Wings experience vs. the Penguins raw, unbridled talent and youthful zest. This was going to be an epic battle, a Stanley Cup finals for the ages.

Now I'm left wondering if Pittsburgh can even compete against Detroit.

Marc-Andre Fleury was very good, especially early in the game. His whole team packed it in early on him half way through the third. Do not place blame for this loss on him.

Evgeni Malkin was down right horrible in this game, which allowed Detroit's defensive focus to target Sidney Crosby.

Crosby did not get much of anything accomplished last night either, and full credit goes to the Niklas Lidstrom and the Wings on that front.

That being said, I'm still waiting to see something great out of Sidney Crosby. I've watched him off and on for three years in the NHL now, and in every game I've seen him been very good. But I have never seen him been great.

Now would be the perfect time to raise his game.

SAMUELSSON DOES IT BY HIMSELF - TWICE!
Mikael Samuelsson scored a pair of unassisted goals for Detroit in Game One. He's the first player to pot a pair of unassisted goals in one Finals game since Mark Messier did it on May 30, 1985, for Edmonton vs. Philadelphia. - courtesy Elias Sports Bureau.