1) Guerin and Kunitz have both had their chances, ‘ol Billy especially. One has to wonder whether Babcock will keep Zetterberg shadowing Crosby, or move him more to cover Geno who has been the bigger threat lately. Granted, Geno may be the bigger threat simply because Sid has been facing Z, so who knows maybe once Zetterberg is off of Crosby his (Sid’s) line explodes…we’ll have to see.

I think a bigger point (your sub-topic is about the Top Six Wingers) is whether Staal’s line will be able to capitalize on their chances they create down low. I love to see Kennedy, Cooke, and Staal cycle the puck for a solid shift, but would like to see them create some traffic in front of the net and throw the puck there. If (one of those HUGE if’s here) Zetterberg stays on Crosby, we will need both Malkin’s and Staal’s line to produce in order to steal one at “The Joe”.

2) I hope Fleury has another Game 5 from 2008 SCFs. He definitely is looking REALLY solid in the crease and has been playing solidly when there are a bunch of bodies in front of him.

Osgood, well…what can ya say. The debate rages about whether he is a product of superior defense, or if he is legitimately deserving of his accolades. Personally, I have seen him make some spectacular saves, so I wouldn’t discount his skill. At the same time though, we have seen some chinks in his armor (Varlamov anyone?) developing the last couple games. Will he break completely? Or will he simply continue to be steady and let in the unavoidable goals (tic-tac-toe pass to Kennedy…Osgood didn’t have a chance).

3) We have been discussing this in the other thread, so I’ll refer to that one.

I never feel comfortable making predictions, but I would not be surprised to see this game end in 6. If (this IF is bigger than the last one…look out) the Pens can steal game 5, I expect them to not want to pass up the (black and) golden opportunity to seal it up at home.

I don’t know, Guerin and Kunitz have NOT been bad. Both have been steady point producers, and that lovely Kennedy goal in game 4 doesn’t happen without a marvellous play from Kunitz. But the larger point is that these guys contribute in ways that don’t necessarily translate into fantasy-league points: I’m VERY happy with how both have played in the postseason.

The X-factor, for me, is the Penguins pressure game down low. I’m not convinced that Osgood is breaking by any means; the Crosby and Kennedy goals were the game, and he had no chance on either one. That said, if the Pens are really rolling one gigantic, effective center after another out there (i.e., Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Crobsy, Malkin, Staal, etc.), it’s hard to imagine any team having a 60-minute answer for it.

Predictions? Yeah, this is a winnable game for Pittsburgh. I think if they grind away at the Wings they get this one.

we won it last year at the joe. lets do it again.