Game 1 & 2 and the break down of the new NHL rule

With games one and two we saw very similar games with the same end result and the return of the clutch and grab style of hockey, and I could not be happier.

In game one, it all came down to whose defense was better. After early mistakes by both teams' defense, the Wings were able to hold it down better and weather the Penguins storm. Goals occurred in the first 10 minutes of the second period and the end of the third, and with a combination of good bounces and great defense, the Wings pulled out a 3-1 win.

In game two we saw the Pens push the Wings, getting the first goal and a dominating the first period. The Wings came back to tie and then take the led on the first goal of any amazing skill from Flipullia. They got another from Abdelkader the Alligator, but this was just an insurance goal, as the Wings defense and Osgood thought that the first game was so good that it deserved to be repeated with game 2 ending 3-1 Wings.

This series so far has been characterized by a couple of things -- good defense and goaltending by the Wings and the lack of defense and goaltending from the Pens, as well as the return of the pre-lock out NHL rules.

2 Reason Wings are winning
#1 Osgood > Fleury.
Osgood right now would win the Conn Smyth, while Fleury looks like he belongs playing for the farm club.

#2 Return of the Clutch
Hooking, holding and interference have made a triumphant return to the game of hockey, and, personally, I could not be happier.

We are now seeing two great skilled teams but since the Wings play in the West, they know how to not rely solely on talent and when getting physical is necessary.

Anytime Crosby crosses the blue line with the puck, it seems that the Wings are magnetically drawn to him, and just snuff him out of the play along the boards.

This did worry me in the game one, because who knew what the referees were going to call, but since they seem to be letting most things go, it has resulted in some good old school hockey.

Prediction game 3
We have seen nothing from the Pens and that's why they are going to win game 3. Someone has to show up, and it's their second time in the finals, and the first game at home. Someone please show up for the sake of hockey.

Osgood does not have his backup Zetterberg to make a save today, so I'm predicting Pens 3-2 most likely in over time, but if the scores were reversed it would not surprise me.