Wings over America; Milbury does it again

Belated congratulations to the Red Wings, who took the Cup in six games -- as I predicted -- over the Penguins, who should be the favorite in the East again next season, depending on what happens with their many potential free agents, and coach Michel Therien, who may or may not be very well-liked in the Pens' clubhouse.

And we know how player revolts go around here, don't we?

Meanwhile, Mike Milbury opened his mouth last week, which often doesn't end well. Responding to an off-the-cuff remark by Tiger Woods about how he didn't follow the NHL playoffs ("I don't think anybody really watches hockey anymore") Milbury called Woods "Tiger Wuss" and then went on about how tough hockey players are compared to pretty much everyone else.

I always liked Milbury's personality and he has had some great quotes over the years. For a long time I was one of the few Milbury defenders in Islanders Nation, until the evidence engulfed me like a landslide. And he is brash and opinionated, which makes him an interesting voice. But this was silly and just makes Mad Mike look insane. Take it down a notch, Mikey. For everyone's sake.

Looking ahead, the Blog Box will be well-represented at the Islanders Draft Party at the Coliseum June 20, with some surprises in store.

And if you want a peek at the list of 2008 free agents, here you go.

Detroit looks dominant in game one

The Red Wings looked pretty unbeatable in the opener of the Stanley Cup finals, shutting out the Penguins, 4-0.

Over at ESPN.com, Scott Burnside asks the question: Do the Penguins need to fail in order to win later, as did the Oilers in 1983? Avid readers of this space recall that on May 20 I predicted a Red Wings victory in six games and noted that, like the Oilers, the talented Penguins are just not there yet and could follow the same path the Oilers did.

Short-time Islanders GM Neil Smith -- who was with the Isles in the Cup years -- comes to a similar conclusion in the article , and Kevin Lowe notes that it's a matter of learning how to win. Butch Goring confirms the legend of the defeated Oilers passing by the Isles locker room and seeing less celebration than relief, a sign that the Isles left everything out on the ice while the Oilers hadn't yet reached that level of comittment.

One can see the same scenario playing out this season.