Red Wings-Penguins: Defence, Chris Osgood Too Much in Game One

The chants of "Ozzy, Ozzy" echoed through the Joe Louis Arena in the waning moments of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, putting the finishing touches on a masterful performance by the Red Wings.

Coming into this series, the fact that Detroit was more experienced was the main focus of all media outlets. However, by overpowering the Penguins in Game 1, the Wings showed that conditioning may be better than anything else.

The game started at a frantic pace, with teams flying from end board to end board and peppering both goalies with shots from every direction. It looked as if it would be a game of epic proportions.

Pittsburgh's offence seemed to be running on all cylinders as they had 12 shots on goal by the end of the period, but Osgood was up to the task in stopping all those shots.

But with the start of the second period, all the momentum the Penguins had was gone. Detroit's defence tightened up and allowed only seven shots for the next two periods (four in the second and three in the third).

Pittsburgh, especially it's defence, seemed tired and therefore slowed down. The only problem was that Detroit did not slow down, not one bit.

The first goal was a clear example of it. Desperate for a change, Jarkko Ruutu nonchalantly flipped the puck into the neutral zone. The puck was picked up by Mikael Sammuelson who quickly wrapped around Fleury's net and opened the score.

From that momment on it seemed as if Pittsburgh was playing in quicksand, not ice. Detroit outhusled them to the puck, outhit them around the boards and simply outplayed them.

Detroit's D deserves all the credit in this game. Sydney Crosby was invisible after the opening period, constantly shaded by a Detroit player who prevented him from receiving a pass. And if he did receive the puck, two or more defenders quickly collapsed towards him, either taking the puck away or forcing him to pass it away.

Pitt's D on the other side was lethargic from the second period on, making mental mistakes and bad decisions, all of it putting goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in very bad situations.

Fleury should not be blamed for the loss or the score, in fact, he should be commended for making great saves and taking Pittsburgh out of many jams. If his defence had given him better support, the score might have been much closer.

Osgood was brilliant in the first period and invisible for the rest of the game, which is a great compliment to Detroit's defence.

It's only Game 1, but if this game told us anything, it is that Detroit can play 60 minutes of high-tempo hockey.

If Pittsburgh wants to have any chance they better do the same.