IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!

OK, so maybe I got too cocky and paid for it last night, but nonetheless, this is what it comes down to, a final and deciding Game 7 between the Red Wings and the Penguins. Yes, I realize the Penguins will bring the fight. Just ask the Capitals. They held a 3-2 lead on the Penguins earlier in the playoffs, just like the Red Wings, and wound up losing. But I think history is in favor of the Red Wings. The home team has won every game this series and Game 7 is in Detroit, the Red Wings have won 3 of 4 and the last 3 Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final they played in, and when the home team has won the first 6 games, 4 out of 5 times, Game 7 went to the home team. Plus, the Red Wings have been excellent in their clinching games. They overcame a barrage of Blue Jackets goals in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quaterfinals, held the Ducks at bay in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, and were quick to capitalize on the Blackhawks in overtime of Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Really, this is Game 7, so it's anybody's ballgame at this point. Detroit and Pittsburgh have fought tooth-and-nail all series long, but something has to give on Friday. Either the Cup stays in Motown, or it joins the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the Steel City. No matter how you slice it, this will be good. But if the Red Wings win, I will celebrate immediately after (or after the Tigers vs. Pirates game, whichever comes last). So let's go Red Wings. And now for your viewing entertainment, Red Wings fans singing in unison at JoeVision during Game 6 of last year's Stanley Cup Final (the Cup clincher).