If you believe that momentum in a playoff series carries from one game to the next, there are two basic truths:

1) You believe the hockey season has one game to go; and

2) You don't know anything about hockey.

After the Penguins won 2 straight after losing the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Red Wings came out and dominated in such a fashion that they might as well have just made their Stanley Cup banners an even dozen tonight at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Let's get right to it:

THE GOOD FOR PITTSBURGH: As bad as it was, and it was total Lions/Christians out there, it was only one game. Winning the next two is not outside the realm of possibility. Probability, yes, but not possibility. And when I say Lions, I don't mean the Detroit Lions. Not only could they not defeat Christians, they also would get trounced by Hindus, Buddhists and Jehovah's Witnesses. I'm not even sure they can handle most Yeshivas.

THE GOOD FOR DETROIT: For the first time in this series, they fired on all cylinders, and it was amazing to see such a methodical dismantling of a pretty damn good Penguins team. 5 goals, each one by a different player. This game was reminiscent in every way of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Blackhawks. Just a good old-fashioned ass whipping.

THE BAD FOR PITTSBURGH: They completely lost composure on the ice. They took unbelievably stupid penalties, which led to 3 power play goals by the Wings in the second period. They played dumb hockey all night, led by Chris Kunitz, who probably wishes he had as much bone in his pants as he does in his head.

THE BAD FOR DETROIT: If things keep up this way, they skate the Cup around the Igloo again.

THE UGLY FOR PITTSBURGH: The last two minutes of the game, when they tried to "send a message". When you're losing 5-0, the messenger service won't get anyone to sign the receipt. Next time Penguins want to pitch a bitch about officiating, they might want to thank their lucky stars that the refs didn't hand out any instigator penalties. Since there weren't any Hart finalists involved, they wouldn't have gotten overturned this time.

THE UGLY FOR DETROIT: Once all this ends, you have to look to other sports teams for entertainment...did I mention the Lions?

Tuesday night, the Pens try to keep the clock from striking 12, and the Wings look to make their banner collection an even dozen.