Red Wings back in comfort zone

Mike Babcock was in a good mood Thursday and the fact the Detroit Red Wings head coach is inching closer to hunting season isn't the sole reason.

He's happy to be home in Detroit, where Babcock finds comfort in both his place of work and the opportunity that lies ahead for himself and the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The Red Wings will host Game 7 of the NHL championship Friday at Joe Louis Arena (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7:30 p.m. ET), where they have won 11 of 12 playoff games this spring, including all three in this series.

Babcock told reporters that his players, much like himself, have been more comfortable on home ice.

"We were a great road team in the regular season and … I think we're 4-6 on the road in the [2009] playoffs," Babcock, an avid hunter, told reporters. "We've been way better at home, way more comfortable, way quicker, way more assertive. We look forward to that again [Friday]."

Friday night will mark the 15th Stanley Cup decided in Game 7, with the host team holding a 12-2 edge.

Seeking its fifth cup in 12 seasons, Detroit has outscored the Penguins 11-2 at the Joe in this year's final.

The Red Wings have only played in two Game 7s since 1997 and the most recent is rather fresh in their mind: Last month, Detroit advanced when forward Dan Cleary beat Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller for the winning goal with three minutes left in regulation in the Western Conference semifinal.

Montreal was the last road team to win a Game 7 in the final, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in 1971.

"It's going to be a great atmosphere," said Red Wings veteran forward Kirk Maltby of Friday's matchup. "Pressure or not, both teams are going to have it.

"We can't go in with the mindset that [home ice] guarantees us anything. It's do-or-die now. It's up to us to go out and play our best game."

Led by goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh played one of its better games of these playoffs in Game 6 on Tuesday, a 2-1 victory to stave off elimination.

Many believe a repeat performance from Fleury is a must for the Penguins to have a chance at hoisting the cup for the first time since 1992.

A fast start similar to Game 6 in which Pittsburgh outshot Detroit 12-3 in the first period wouldn't hurt, either.

Generating more shots against Red Wings netminder and Conn Smythe Trophy candidate Chris Osgood is part of the game plan. In the last two cup final series, the Penguins are 1-5 at Detroit, have been outscored 21-6 and averaged just 26.5 shots.

"Forty-plus shots would be a great recipe to figure out how to get more goals there," said first-year Penguins coach Dan Bylsma.