Anybody out there still think experience won't matter much in this Stanley Cup final?

This is not to suggest the Pittsburgh Penguins will roll over after dropping Game 1 at Joe Louis Arena tonight 4-0 in a game that was fairly one-sided after a tight opening period.

Far from it. In fact, we think the Pens will regroup in Game 2 and send the series back to the Steel City on even terms.

But that's a story for another day, Monday perhaps.

Tonight's game was all about the Red Wings.

Chris Osgood was solid, yet unspectacular in posting the shutout. No matter, all he's concerned about is getting the W — something he's been doing frequently since taking over from the Dominator.

The Red Wings offered blanket coverage for Sid the Kid and Evgeni Malkin (one shot on goal) didn't seem to enjoy the physical play being doled out by the likes of Wings D-man Niklas Kronwall.

Marian Hossa clanged a shot off the post late in the third period, but by then all that would have done was prevent the bagel.

Worried about secondary scoring for the Red Wings with The Mule, Johan Franzen, still sidelined with post-concussion syndrome?

Let's try a pair of goals from Mikael Samuelsson, who hadn't scored in seven games, and a single from Dan Cleary, who had been relatively quiet of late.

Oh and for good measure, how about a straight shelf shot from Henrik Zetterberg on the power play.

Not much to it, other than the simple fact that experience trumped youth in the opener.