Red Wings, dominant at home, return to Detroit for Game 7
Mike Babcock is excited about Game 7. Not restless, nervous or anxious. The Detroit Red Wings coach has every reason to be relaxed and confident. He is the leader of the Stanley Cup champions, who have a chance to repeat with one more win at their home rink - a friendly place where they are 11-1 in the playoffs.
Mike Babcock is excited about Game 7. Not restless, nervous or anxious.
The Detroit Red Wings coach has every reason to be relaxed and confident. He is the leader of the Stanley Cup champions, who have a chance to repeat with one more win at their home rink - a friendly place where they are 11-1 in the playoffs.
Sure they hoped to wrap up another title Tuesday night in Pittsburgh against the Penguins, but they fell short in a 2-1 loss. Now they have another chance to reclaim the Cup at home in the deciding game tonight.
"I slept good," Babcock said Wednesday. "Were we disappointed we didn't get the win? No question."
Detroit is not dwelling on any missed opportunities. Instead, the Red Wings are embracing new ones. They are 3-0 at home against the Penguins in this series, 5-1 there in the last two finals.
The Red Wings have won four titles in 11 seasons, but none has been earned in a seven-game finals.
For the Penguins, this is the chance they never got last season after falling behind the Red Wings in games, 3-1.
"We should be proud of where we've come from," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said.
The Penguins have been outscored in the series at Detroit, 11-2, and captain Sidney Crosby hasn't scored a goal there in two finals series.
Noteworthy
* The Dallas Stars hired Marc Crawford as their new coach, bringing in a well-traveled NHL veteran to replace the fired Dave Tippett. Crawford has a 470-361-156 record in 13 seasons in the NHL.*