It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Red Wings are dominating the the Penguins in the Stanley Cup finals. If it hadn't been the Red Wings but the Sharks, Ducks or Stars, it wouldn't have been very different.
I have to admit I did not pick the Red Wings to represent the West in the finals. Not that Detroit wasn't good enough, but I just thought they might not be able to keep pace with the talent in the West. Let's face it, the West is right now far better than the East. So even the East's best, the Pittsburgh Penguins cannot compete with the best of the West.
Detroit is every bit as tough physically as the Ducks, Stars, Flames and Canucks although they were the least penalized team during the regular season. A good skating team does not take many penalties. But the Red Wings are more than just a group of slick skating Europeans. Thomas Holstrom lives at the edge of the goal crease and takes a real pounding for it. He takes his licks without whining. Niklas Kronwell has become a devestating body checker. In fact, Detroit has no weaknesses. Some may not consider Chris Osgood and top goalie. But he already has backstopped the Wings to a Stanley Cup.
