Stanley Cup Passion Goes MIA

There's no question that the temperature went up a couple of degrees after Game 2 between the Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings because of what happened between Chris Osgood and Mike Ribeiro at the end of the game.
- Bob McKenzie, TSN.ca

One can only hope McKenzie is right, because the Conference Finals desperately need a little heat.

Though Saturday night ended in a slim 2-1 win for Detroit, it looked like they could have played all night without Dallas scoring another goal. The only reason Ribiero's little whack on Osgood drew so much attention is that it was one of the few signs that these teams are playing for more than two points in November.

The first two games in Pittsburgh were a bit better. But there's no sign of the great, bloody "Battle of Pennsylvania" we were told to expect. Philadelphia was missing its two best defensemen for most of Game Two, but Pittsburgh played it safe. Lou Lamoriello would have been proud.

For all their formidable talent, the Red Wings and Penguins are winning with efficient, well-organized hockey. If they keep it up, we could see an efficient, well-organized Stanley Cup Final. Maybe they'll serve tea and crumpets.

The first two rounds of these playoffs were fantastic. So what's the problem?

Are Detroit and Pittsburgh so much better that they can win games at three-quarter speed? Have the Stars and Flyers hit the wall? Do "new NHL" penalty calls discourage physical play? Are too many players running on empty after a long season? Are they all just bored with having to show up at the rink every day?

People used to say that in hockey, the biggest games are also the best games. So far in these Stanley Cup Conference Finals, the biggest games could easily be mistaken for decent exhibition scrimmages in which no one wants to get hurt.

Photo: Did Mike Ribiero wake up the Western Conference Final with a little goalie abuse? (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)