Bodog Beat

If you went away for the weekend, you already missed the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final. (AP Images)

The Detroit Red Wings managed to win both games of the championship series despite missing key players from their lineup and getting outchanced by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A second victory in as many nights (3-1 score in both) greatly increased the odds that the Wings will soon have their names again inscribed on the NHL's championship trophy.

Teams winning the first two games of the Stanley Cup final on home ice have gone on to take the series 31 of 32 times.

The most amazing part of the two victories in this series might be that they came on back-to-back nights and without Pavel Datsyuk, who has been sidelined with a foot problem. The Red Wings are now 10-1 at Joe Louis Arena during these playoffs.