FanNation - The Republic of Sport

If any of you watched the game between the Stars and Wings last night you probably noticed something different.  The veterans for the Wings got off their rumps and played a huge role in defeating Dallas.  Yes Datsyuk and Zetterberg were there doing their usual but it was guys like Dallas Drake and Kris Drapper (Thats using your head Kris) and most of all Osgood playing really well between the pipes, again.  He's played well this whole series by the way.  The Wings needed a boost in the first period and it was probably their best in a while.  They also needed a little luck and they got it.  They crashed the net like there was no tomorrow and it worked.  Turco didn't have much of a chance except on the break away but then again look who he was up against.  Zetterberg made it look easy but what a back breaker.  This looked like the Wings we are used to watching.  I hope Franzen can get back for the Stanley Cup.  The Wings REALLY need him.  Give the Stars credit.  They played with their hearts on their sleeves.  The fans in Dallas should be pleased with what they've done.  They knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champs in workman-like fashion and disposed of the Sharks who many considered to be holding the Stanley Cup when all was said and done.  Could the Wings have done the same thing they did?  I'm not sure they would have been so successful due to the fact that they've always had problems with solving Anaheim and most of all their goaltender Giguerre.  He always seemed to stand on his head against the Wings.  I believe the Wings could have beaten the Sharks but that probably would have gone 6-7 games because of their great goaltender.  Dallas ran up against three great teams and finally succumbed.  If you think about it in football terms,  it's like playing the Patriots for three straight weeks.  Take no offense to this NY Giants fans.  Dallas will definately be a force in the coming years and so will Detroit.  We might see more of these two playing each other to get to the Stanley Cup again and again.  As for the Wings, they need four more games like Monday.  The veterans will need to rise to the occassion to beat this Penguins team.  Whoever says Wings in four is out of their minds.  Pittsburg is a great team and it's not just Crosby and Malkin.  They have several guys who have come into their own (especially Hossa) and lines that can match up with Detroit.  The Wings might have an advantage at Defense but they are going to need to protect Osgood and put pressure on those forwards from Pittsburgh.  Lilya really needs to step up and be a force.  Osgood has two cups and Fleurry has none.  That doesn't mean a thing right now and Osgood would be the first to tell you that.  Detroit needs to win in Detroit, period.  A 2-0 start would be what the doctor ordered.  They play well on the road and hopefully they can steal one in Pittsburgh.  In order for all of this to happen, "The Calvary needs to show up" and play with the heart it did on Monday.  And no, I'm not picking who is going to win this series.