Both Mellon and the Joe have more history between the two of them then every other rink in the nhl, with the exceptions of maybe Rexall and Nassau…

Personally, I think that adds to the series, not subtracts from it. 

The author probably just wants his luxury suite press box he gets everywhere else…

I’m sure during the course of this series, I will find out that Pavel Datsyuk is named “Petey” and Jarkko Ruutu is “John”.

No...Jarkko Ruutu is one of those lovable characters from the STAR WARS saga. I think he’s the one with long blue arm-like hair extensions.

Celebration Note #1:
If I’m the Red Wings front office, I would be certain to hire extra Michigan State troopers to patrol the visiting dressing room at Joe Louis Arena in the event the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in Detroit. The reason? To bust down Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal if they try and take a sip of champagne from the Cup. Underage drinking should not be tolerated. The troopers could ensure there is plenty of apple juice, Yoo-hoo or sparkling grape available for the younger Penguins to enjoy. Even more humiliating would be to force Crosby and Staal to drink from a sippy cup version of the Stanley Cup.

Celebration Note #2:
A few of you may recall that I (incorrectly) predicted the Penguins would miss the playoffs this year. If they win the Stanley Cup and I have to be inside their locker room for the celebrations, it could be a tense scene. Short of being told by Sportsnet that I have to cover a Stanley Cup parade on Yonge Street, this is the most awkward event for me to cover. I basically wrote off the Penguins in September and now they are four wins away from winning it all. So if the Penguins do beat the Red Wings, I’m hoping there is enough champagne (or sparkling grape) in everyone’s eyes so that the players think I’m Ahmad Rashad, Suneel Joshi or any other minority sports reporter who didn’t pick them to miss the playoffs.

While the thought of watching “Sid the Kid” drink apple juice from a sippy cup is somewhat intriguing, I’m hoping the Wings save him and Mr. Mendes from embarrassment by bringing the Cup back to Detroit.