Burk - I use the 83 Oilers comparison because the Wings have hands down been the best in the league for years, not because they're aging, though I do see your point.
As I've said all along, these teams are the cream of the NHL, and they deserve to have a playing field which is level, not marred by poor officiating, non-healthy rosters, and back-to-back games.
While I understand the desire to not have a huge layover between the series, to move it up like the NHL did considering the Wings injury woes makes me less than happy, particularly with the back-to-back games to start it off. If the possibility hadn't been announced AFTER Datsyuk and Lidstrom missed game 4, I'd be a bit less annoyed about it.
That said, the Wings did a heck of a job last night against a determined Hawks team. Cristobal Huet played a great game to give his team a chance to extend the series, though his "miraculous" save on Franzen at the end of regulation was just a combination of desperation and luck, you've got to give the guy tons of credit for coming back the way he did after getting shelled in game 4. Darren Helm's PK shift in the 3rd was one of the best I've seen since Zetterberg's masterpiece killing the 5 on 3 in the finals last season.
As of last nights game, the Wings were missing six regulars: Nick Lidstrom (the best d-man of our generation, if not all time, sorry to the Bobby Orr fans); Pavel Datsyuk, defending Selke winner for best defensive forward, threee time defending Lady Byng winner, and current finalist for both trophies as well as the Hart; Andreas Lilja, their best pk d-man all season; Jonathan Ericsson, their stud rookie d-man; Kris Draper, former Selke winner and one of the best face-off men in the league; and Tomas Kopecky (to be honest though, that's a good thing imho, as Helm, Abdelkader, and Leino are all upgrades over him by a huge margin). If Datsyuk and Lidstrom and Ericsson can play effectively that's huge. IMHO, it's the difference in the series. The way Helm is playing, he's an upgrade over how Draper has been most of the season. Lilja is missed, though Ericsson offsets most of the loss, still I'd rather have Lilja than Lebda on the 3rd pairing. Yes, Lebda had an assist on Cleary's goal last night, but he totally blew his coverage on the Hawks goal. Yes, it was a beautiful shot, - and as much as I was ticked about it, it was a beauty - but with the speed Lebda has, no way Kane should have had the space to get it off. Lebda stopped skating. His celebration was a bit hokey too - way to get yourself to -6 for the series. Chelios's facial expression was priceless.
The Pens are on a huge roll and healthy, though I still question Gonchar's leg. While I'm sure the Pens are thrilled with the prospect of back-to-back game 1 and 2 against a depleted Wings roster, and will gladly take the cup if they get 4 wins against the depleted roster, it'd be an asterisked win in my book, particularly with the late bump up in the schedule. I just hope Devorski and Halloran, aren't the refs for the series, they're just horrible. Like in the *ucks series, I was glad that there weren't suspensions so the Ducks were full strength when the Wings eliminated them, a true hockey fan would want both teams healthy. Moving the series up with the back to back game 1 and 2 is a disservice to both teams and to all hockey fans - this series has the potential to be one of, if not the, best series of our generation if not all time - if both sides are healthy.
My predictions: If the Wings are healthy, it's going to be Wings in six or seven, but they'll be hard fought wars. If Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Ericsson are out, I think it'll be the Pens in six or seven. For those saying the healthy wings would steamroll the Pens, think again. As much of a Wings fan as I am, you've got to respect what the Pens bring to the table.
My lack of caffiene inspired preview:
Forwards: The Wings corps is deeper top to bottom with 2 way play and all four lines are legitimate threats to score. If they're healthy, Zetterberg and Datsyuk are a match to Crosby and Malkin with their better defensive play. The last change on home ice is going to be big in this series. Filppula is an unsung hero with his setup play, and Hossa is the wildcard. He's only shown up on the sheet in a big way in one game, but the effort is there. I've got a hunch that he cranks it up yet another notch in the finals. Cleary is stepping it up as well, and the Pens would do well to watch him closely. Malkin is my biggest worry on the Pens. If Lidstrom is healthy, that's who I put against Malkin and let Stuart/Kronwall hammer Crosby into submission. Not taking Crosby lightly, but Malkin has impressed me this postseason. He's definitely a Conn Smythe candidate. Maxime Talbot is the X-factor on the Pens offense to me. He's scored some timely goals (the tying goal in game 5 of last year's finals, the backbreaker in game 4 vs the Canes) Ex-*uck Kunitz might step up with a cheap shot but he's a warrior on the boards. If the Wings are missing Datsyuk, Zetterberg can't match up against both Crosby and Malkin, and if I'm Bylsma, I'm trying to take advantage of that as much as possible.
Defense: A healthy Wings corps is way better than the Pens blueliners. If Lidstrom and Ericsson are out, the advantage flips the other way. Kronwall/Stuart vs. Orpik for the big hits, forwards need to be watching for both. Hal Gill had the series of his life in last year's finals, he'll need to match that.
Goaltending: Ozzie is on a mission. He's sick of the disrespect and the comments over the regular season. He's been better than Fleury thus far. Slight edge to the Wings.
Coaching: Bylsma is doing a heck of a job, had he been hired earlier, he might have been a Jack Adams finalist. I saw his work with the S/W-B Pens first hand, and he's a good tactician. Babcock is phenomenal, and imho the best in the league, but how he juggles a depleted roster and handles the matchups is going to be a big key in this series. IMHO Bylsma is going to be one of the best coaches in the league for a while, but at this point, I've got to give the nod to Babcock.
This series, if both teams are healthy, is going to be a beauty. Word is Ericsson will be ready to play, and Lidstrom and Datsyuk both skated yesterday. If Babcock pulled them just to rest them for the final, he's pulling something close to Scotty Bowman crazy.
), and let the teams play. 
