I also watched the SJ/DET game last night and a couple things
struck me.  ♦ SJ is a better team than Detroit. There just isn't
any doubt. Their top-3 forwards are better (Thronton, Marleau,
Cheechoo, vs. Datsyuk, Zetterburg and Cleary) Even when
Holmstrom comes back. Thier goalie is slightly better (Nabokov
vs 42-year-old Hasek). Thier Defensive Forwards are better
(Brier and Barnes looked phenominal last night). And the only
clear area Detroit has an edge is Lidstrom on defense.  ♦
Putting Marleau on a line with Grier and Barnes is working well,
and I think it has the potential to be the move that wins SJ the
Stanley cup. Grier seems to be the guy that pulls the puck out
of the corners, Barnes plays setup-man, and Marleau is the
sharpshooter, with Grier crashing the net for rebounds. They
looked unstoppable last night.  ♦ Speaking of Grier and Barnes.
I don't think enough has been made of the effect their
forechecking has had on Detroits puck-possession style game.
They were an absolute menace last night, an