James_Taipei: Is Fleury the key to game seven for the Penguins? If the Red Wings don't score in the first period do the Penguins win the game?

Seth Rorabaugh: He's a huge key obviously. He can't take any shots off as he has done in all three games up there. He needs to play lights out like he did in Game 6. As far as giving up goals to Detroit early ... I'm not sure that really matters. They shutout Detroit in the first period of Game 2 and still lost.

TheGuyFromPgh: A bit early but my question is this. In terms of style of play or their scheme if you will, do you think the Penguins need to make any changes in order to beat the Wings in Detroit?

Seth Rorabaugh: Well with Detroit hosting the game, they get the final change off faceoffs so the Penguins need to figure out a way to get Crosby and Malkin away from Zetterberg or Datsyuk. A big part of their win in Game 6 was the ability to dictate that matchup. If they can short shift some guys and try to throw off Detroit's lines, that will be huge.

SCBurgher: Curious to know what your opinion is of the officiating when the Penguins play in Detroit?

Seth Rorabaugh: I think the officiating for every game regardless of venue has been awful this series. And each team has been on the wrong end of the poor officiating. It's like the mid to late 1990s out there with all the wrestling and obstruction. It's a joke that these officiaing crews are supposedly the best in the sport.

James_Taipei: If the Penguins win, does anyone other than Malkin have a shot at winning the Stanley Cup playoffs MVP?

Seth Rorabaugh: Mathieu Garon. He does have the greatest save percentage in Stanley Cup final history. ;-) In all seriousness, Malkin is clearly the favorite for the Penguins. I would give Fleury an outside shot if they win, but it seems like it's Malkin's trophy to win should the Penguins win.

Jeff_Jimerson: What is the over/under on Game 7 jersey fouls at the Joe?

Seth Rorabaugh: Minus 3. In all seriousness, the fans at JLA are pretty sharp. This isn't like Washington where they all of a sudden realized hockey existed in May 2008. The fans there have jerseys of real players. You don't see "CROSBY SUX" on the back of a $130 jersey. I'm alright with Detroit fans.

Joe: All the media types are saying that without scoring or points from Crosby & Malkin the Pens have no chance at winning. I disagree with this as I feel the 3rd line is giving Detroit's fits. Thoughts?

Seth Rorabaugh: Well, it certainly would be a lot tougher to win without Crosby or Malkin scoring but not impossible. I have a hard time seeing Marc-Andre Fleury blanking the Red Wings in Detroit so they're going to need some offense. And obviously, Crosby and Malkin are their top guns.

Jeff_Jimerson: If the Pens win will they make room on the Cup for Vlad & Natalia Malkin?

Seth Rorabaugh: Maybe they'll let Natalia make some borscht with it.

Joe: When the Pens do hoist the cup Friday, what time is the parade on Sunday?

Seth Rorabaugh: 3:31 p.m. They're going to do it at Kennywood with Mark Eaton riding the Skycoaster.

Lloyd_Braun: I can't find a ticket to the game for under $620 on the Internet. Any advice?

Seth Rorabaugh: Skip your next rent/mortgage payment. Seriously, good luck. It's Game 7. It's not going to be cheap ticket.

SCBurgher: I agree with your response about the officiating. Is it too much to hope for that Game 7 will be different?

Seth Rorabaugh: Game 7 will probably be worse if anything. They're not going to call much unless blood or teeth are involved.

Lloyd_Braun: Will NBC even show the players skating with the Cup after the game? I'm guessing they go right to local news so Conan is not delayed. Unless of course we get overtime which will be moved to MSNBC.

Seth Rorabaugh: I have absolutely no faith in NBC to do the right thing.

gogogo: If Scuderi does demand a high price next year, who would be a comparable player to take his place, from either the Baby Pens or other free agents? Scuderi's defense is unmatched by anyone on the Pens right now.

Seth Rorabaugh: I'm not sure he's a comparable player in terms of skill, but Ben Lovejoy seems to be the top candidate to come up from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He has a fairly decent all-around game and he was solid in the few games he played in the NHL this season. He'll get a shot with Hal Gill being a UFA this offseason as well.

ulfie5: Why not the great Mike instead of Satan. Also, have you guys checked the lame game blog for the Red Wings. What a joke. Keep up the excellent work.

Seth Rorabaugh: Zigomanis hasn't played in half a year. Satan, limited contributions or not, has. Zigomanis has been practicing, but there's a difference between practicing and being in game shape.

Fan_Since_The_60_s: Seth, the NBC policy is driving me nuts! Where is everyone going to be tomorrow cause I wanna be there too?

Seth Rorabaugh: I'm not aware of any sort of viewing parties in or around the city, but I'm willing to bet you could find any bar on the South Side and find some "friends."

Lloyd_Braun: Can we win without the vocal prowess and utter domination of Jimerson prior to face-off?

Seth Rorabaugh: Heck of a question ... but ... they won all of their playoff series this year on the road ...

ulfie5: Which game should i remove from my DVR to make room for the finals. Game 7 Wash, Game 2 Canes, Games 3, 4, or 6 of this series (or just get rid of the Super Bowl ... I knew I should have stopped the DVR during the halftime).

Seth Rorabaugh: You don't have any old "Lost" episodes or other non-hockey stuff that can bite the dust? Check out Hulu's NHL page. They have complete broadcasts of all the Cup final games.

SCBurgher: What free agents should the Penguins GM pick for next season? I like Scuderi of course. How about Hal Gill?

Seth Rorabaugh: Even though they're RFAs, I think Shero should target Letang and Goligoski first and foremost. With Gonchar scheduled to become an UFA after next season, Letang and Goligoski are the future on the team's blue line. Especially on the power play. Lock those two up for the long term first. Then worry about everyone else.

Chrisburgh: Who do you think has the best chance of being re-signed, Sykora or Fedetenko?

Seth Rorabaugh: Fedotenko. He's contributing and he's fairly cheap. I want to see how healthy Sykora is or isn't before making a call there.

Jeff_Jimerson: Didn't Hossa sign with Detroit? I thought I'd have noticed him on the ice by now.

Seth Rorabaugh: It seems like the only time he's noticable is when people boo him here in Pittsburgh.

SCBurgher: Just a comment; your game blog is awesome! Its so enjoyable when you don't live in Pittsburgh surrounded by Penguin Fans.

Seth Rorabaugh: Thank you. I really appreciate that. It something I've put a lot of energy into so feedback like that means quite a bit.

gogogo: Why are they sitting players like Boucher and Goligoski when gill is obviously dead weight? He can't skate, and to be a PRESENCE like everyone keeps saying he is, you have to get to the person. And don't forget about his trying to be a goalie a few games back.

Seth Rorabaugh: Gill's one of their regular penalty killers. Boucher and Goligoski don't offer a great deal in that department, particularly in front of the net. And with guys like Holmstrom and Franzen, they need someone who can (or supposedly can) clear the crease.

Joe: I have an exam Saturday morning at Duquesne University. Any chance you can rally the troops after the win and have the good college kids rip it down?

Seth Rorabaugh: What? Duquesne? Off the Bluff? Like literally rip the buildings down? I got into trouble for posting Dick Ebersol's phone number. I don't need destruction of an institute of higher learning on my tab as well. ;)

Jeff_Jimerson: How scary is Keith Jones' toupee in person?

Seth Rorabaugh: Not as scary as Pierre McGuire's or Darren Pang's.

PirateApologist: Will you be blogging at random street hockey games around the city after tomorrow night?

Seth Rorabaugh: I plan on live blogging old 1987 Norris Division playoff games between the Maple Leafs and Blues off NHL Network throughout the summer.

Lloyd_Braun: Had a bowl of cereal this morning and Hossa was on my milk carton. Has anyone seen him?

Seth Rorabaugh: Other than the nice steal off Dupuis in Game 2, he's been quiet.

Malkin_Maniac: Why is it the local media never bother to find a Russian translator to get in depth interviews with Malkin? Until I read some interviews on Puck Daddy I had no idea what Malkin is really like. Puck Daddy had a great interview following the All Star game and that was the first time I had any idea what kind of personality he has. It's sad that I live in Pittsburgh but had to find out about a great player like Malkin from the national media. I love Crosby too, but it seems like locally, it's all Crosby all the time.

Seth Rorabaugh: Good question. At the risk of speaking for our reporters, we're a little short on our Russian, and I'm not aware of any other outlet in town here that has anyone fluent in Russian. Dmitry Chesnokov of Yahoo does some fantastic work. I've met him during the games here in Pittsburgh and he seems to have a pretty good relationship with a number of Russian players throughout the league like Malkin and even Alexander Semin, who had the "Crosby's not special" think blow up on him.

Lloyd_Braun: When the Pens bury 3 in the opening period tomorrow night, will we see Conks between the pipes?

Seth Rorabaugh: If Ty Conklin even sees the ice beyond warm ups, things will be wrong.

Seth Rorabaugh: Alright folks. Have to jet. (Insert Winnipeg Jet reference here.) Catch you guys Friday. Take care!