Five reasons I think the Red Wings will beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Joe Louis Arena:
1. Home ice advantage.
The Red Wings have won the previous three games in Detroit by a combined score of 11-2. Pittsburgh is 1-5 at JLA in the last two years in the Final. The last line change is huge.
2. The Red Wings have the better team. If you match the two teams up player-by-player, position-by-position, the Red Wings are superior all-around.
3. Goaltending.
Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleruy is either great or awful. There is no in-between. Chris Osgood is more consistent.
4. Coaching.
A veteran in Mike Babcock with tons of experience vs. a rookie in Dan Bylsma.
5. History
The home team is 12-2 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, including seven straight victories dating back to 1971. The home team has won Game 7 18 straight times in the Stanley Cup Final, the World Series and the NBA Finals.
The one reason I think the Penguins could beat the Red Wings in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Joe Louis Arena:
1. It’s hockey. Lets face it, anything can happen.

Random Thoughts

- Don’t expect Clete Thomas to be in Toledo long. The main reason the Tigers moved him down is they need another first basemen while Miguel Cabrera is ailing. Dan Kelly can play first base.

- If the Tigers, as expected, put Jeremy Bonderman on the disabled list, it will be the correct move. He clearly isn’t himself. More time off might bring some of the snap back to his arm. I still expect Ryan Perry, who will likely be called up, to be the Tigers’ closer by the end of the season. For some reason, Joel Zumaya is a great setup man, but doesn’t pitch nearly as well with a lead or in tie games in the ninth inning. Saw that again Thursday.

My column in Friday's Oakland Press about Red Wings-Penguins Game 7: http://tinyurl.com/mptfmy

Caputo and His Boss Video: http://tinyurl.com/ndkbr4