ajt123: What's your opinion of the officiating for the first two games of the final? Seems a bit inconsistent as compared to the regular season and the first three rounds.

Seth Rorabaugh: I think it's been awful. It looks like a game in the middle of the 1998-99 season with all the wrestling going on at times. But I don't think one team has really benefitted one team or another. It's been awful for each team.

craigmarilynmonroe: What's a bigger story, Hossa was a Penguin or the Staals are brothers?

Seth Rorabaugh: I would say the Staals. I mean... there's four of them... Hossa's just one dude...

Ruskowski_8: Handicap the series at this point and down 2-0.

Seth Rorabaugh: It's going to be tough for the Penguins. Not impossible though. Lots of folks are pointing towards the Washington series and the comeback the Penguins staged there as inspiration. Not to be a killjoy, but the Capitals aren't Detroit. I say Detroit in six assuming they don't have any more bodies drop.

Donnie_Shulzhoffer: Any chance of Sykora getting back in the lineup or is he too banged up?

Seth Rorabaugh: I'd be shocked if he comes back for anything other than an injury at this point. He hasn't played in nearly a month. But i was shocked when Miroslav Satan was put back in the lineup.

Jack: Coach's Corners to honor fallen Canadian troops. Can you imagine an American broadcaster doing that during Sportscenter or an NFL game?

Seth Rorabaugh: No I can't. But Sportscenter the program has done more than enough feature pieces on athletes who are veterans. But I can't imagine something like being done during an NBC telecast. They need to rush out those promos for Jimmy Fallon.

Charles197: What does Crosby have to do to get back on the scoreboard? Pens have last change at home so that should help ...

Seth Rorabaugh: Finish. He's gotten shots and chances. He had a really nice chance with about six and a half minutes left in regulation against Osgood that would've helped matters. He shot to the far side and Osgood booted out. He just needs to finish his chances and he'll be set.

RMULancer: What kind of impact to you see Draper having the rest of the way?

Seth Rorabaugh: He's such a good faceoff guy. The Penguins were demolished in the faceoff circle in Game 1 but had a slight advantage in Game 2. Draper, if nothing else, will give Detroit an even bigger edge in faceoffs.

Illini: Seth -- our defensive gap control in the past two series has been outstanding. To that end it seems as if we're backing off a little more this series. Is this a testament to Detroit's system or are we simply giving them too much room entering the zone?

Seth Rorabaugh: I think the Abdelkader goal in Game 2 is proof of the space Detroit has been able to work with at times. Gill and Scuderi just kind of poke checked him and that gave him enough space to whip that wild shot on net which Fleury, admittedly, should have stopped. Beyond that though, a lot of Detroit's goals have been ugly, dirty ones in tight. The Franzen and Filppula goals are examples of that.

ajt123: Whats your opinion of the Babcock/Crosby headhunting comments?

Seth Rorabaugh: Seems like Babcock meant one thing and something else came out. I think he just wanted to say Crosby was going full bore and was playing with intensity. When he said "head hunting" I don't think he meant in it in the regular way we're accustomed to with hockey lingo. He led his press conference after Game 2 with a clarification of his comment.

RMULancer: With the last change, who do you see Crosby and Malkin going out against to try and generate more goals?

Seth Rorabaugh: ideally, I'm sure Dan Bylsma would like to try and keep them away from the likes of Zetterberg and even Darren Helm. If they can get them lined up again against Filppula's line or even the fourth line with Abdelkader.

Donnie_Shulzhoffer: Do you see any changes coming on the blueline? Possibly Gill out for someone with a little more speed?

Seth Rorabaugh: No because they need someone who can battle with guys like Franzen and Holmstrom in front. You can argue Gill hasn't done a fantastic job in that regard, but I'd rather have him in front with those guys than Boucher.

Joe: Given the fact that Hossa went to Detriot to win a ring -- let's say they do -- do you think they can re-sign him and have another few cup runs in them, or are they only as good as Osgood takes them?

Seth Rorabaugh: Unless he takes a huge discount or they find another way to shed some salary. He's going to cost a ton and the cap is supposed to either stay even or drop. After signing Franzen and Zetterberg to long term deals, the Red Wings will have a hard time hanging on to Hossa. But if anyone can do it, it's Detroit. They find ways to convince players to take less than market value.

King_Moonracer: JFBOR Question: A significant other gets you a Pens jersey as a gift, but has committed a ghastly jersey foul by putting your last name on the back. How is the situation to be handled - can that jersey be worn to the game?

Seth Rorabaugh: ugh ... Good question ... I would say if you're going to the game with that person, do it ... but if not, avoid wearing it. Hopefully that person didn't put a 66 or 87 on it ...

Bill_McCreary: Seth, any idea on what referees are working tonight's game?

Seth Rorabaugh: Why do you want the night off? You already took Game 2 off... (whu, whu, whu...)

Jack: Seth, I know you have talked extensively about the difference between CBC and TSN in terms of broadcasting games. Beyond the general differences in dedication to and interest in the game, I was wondering if you had any insight into the presentation of the games themselves. Why is CBC willing to let viewers see the introductions, players taking the ice, and national anthems while NBC gives us talking heads and commercials? Is it an ego thing? Are no American broadcasters willing to just go silent and let viewers feel like they are at the game?

Seth Rorabaugh: I think it's just because hockey is such a huge part of the fabric of Canada's society. It's that country's identity really. Most Americans aren't really going to appreciate some of the finer things about the sport. And most Americans don't really know a lot of the finer points of the games. Not the way they do with football or baseball. My biggest problem with NBC is how cheap their production is. That intermission show they do with McGuire and Milbury during regular season games is filmed in a closet when NBC is at Mellon Arena. NBC can't afford a real studio show? Versus has a studio show for heavens sake.

Rob_-_N._Myrtle_Beach: Is Rob Scuderi the most over-hyped, "under-valued player" on the Pens? The media fawns over the fact he "shut-down" Ovechkin during the Caps series. Ovechkin scored 14 points in 7 games - I don't think that is even containing a player, much less "shutting him down."

Seth Rorabaugh: If not for Scuderi, Ovechkin might have had 20 points. Scuderi's the Penguins' best defensive player and I would invite anyone to find me a defenseman that could do a much better job than Scuderi did. Other than one who might be a Norris candidate like Lidstrom or Chara.

V.Henry: Any indication that the Pens will go back to 7 defenseman? Dupuis didn't do much besides have his stick break at the worst possible time.

Seth Rorabaugh: Dan Bylsma said his lineup would be a game-time decision.

Joe: Seth any word on the possibility of having drug smelling dogs at the arena in order to be sure an octopus does not land on the ice again this year?

Seth Rorabaugh: They actually had some police dogs sniffing around the building last year just for general security purposes. That said, I'm not sure you need a dog to smell an octopus...

Kendall: Hi Seth. I don't watch much Detroit hockey, but with all buzz about Osgood "being the best goalie in today's NHL" what is the truth behind that? All the stats point to him as being a phenom. But in games 1 and 2, in my opinion it looked more like Pens error in shooting rather than Osgood speed in blocking. Is it that teams in the NHL have a certain "fear" to these guys?

Seth Rorabaugh: I think it was a combination of the Pens hitting posts and Osgood coming up with some big saves. One that really stands out to me is a chance Crosby had in the slot behind the defense where he shot to the far side with roughly 6 1/2 minutes left. Osgood made a nice kick save on it.

WVU09: Do you think the referees will call things tighter tonight?

Seth Rorabaugh: Officials are a funny bunch. Given that neither team has really criticized the officiating that much, I'd be surprised if we saw a big jump in calls.

Bill_McCreary: Seth - Do you think we will continue to see the 'old' NHL with clutching, grabbing, hooking and interference back in the picture, or will we see the 'new' NHL that wanted to add to the excitement by letting skilled players play?

Seth Rorabaugh: Well it's not like the NHL has reverted to late 1990s hockey. Watch a game from that era. It's like night and day compared to now. And I think given that scoring had a slight increase in these playoffs compared to last year is proof that we're not going back to a dead puck era anytime soon.

King_Moonracer: Any sign that dressing 7 defensemen took its toll and has worn down Crosby/Malkin from the additional playing time by double shifting in the WAS/CAR series?

Seth Rorabaugh: I don't think so. They're just playing a really good defensive team right now. They're not going to be getting hat tricks like they did against loose teams like the Capitals and Hurricanes. Crosby needs to score more, but he is being hounded by a fantastic defensive player in Zetterberg.

craigmarilynmonroe: Have you noticed the similarity between Pirates GM Neal Huntington and Chris Osgood?

Seth Rorabaugh: That is an amazing call. The only difference is I think Huntingdon faces more shots on a nightly basis. (Note: for any Detroit fans lurking in here... that's a joke...)

stanley2009: I am amazed at how Sidney Crosby is labeled a whiner. I think he has toned his "complaining" way down. I dare you to watch the NBA finals this week and count how many times you see Kobe complain or whine to the officials, but yet he is not considered a whiner but one of the greatest players in the game. Why the double standard?

Seth Rorabaugh: I think it's just an unfortunate reputation he gained during his rookie season when he did complain a lot on the ice and its has just stuck with him even though he's toned that down.

Bill_McCreary: You're welcome for the 'setup' ...

Seth Rorabaugh: Thank you sir. And with that, I must take off folks. Have a good night and have fun watching.