There are a number of key match-ups in Friday's winner-take-all affair between the Red Wings and Penguins.

And so it has come down to this: One game for all the marbles.

In a Stanley Cup final series that has resembled a chess game, you'd have to think the Red Wings are two days away from announcing, "Checkmate!" Given the fact the home team has been so dominant in this year's final, Detroit will clearly have the edge when the puck is dropped at 8:10 p.m. Friday night at The Joe.

Still, the game will be played and the Penguins will step onto the ice with every intention of scoring an upset victory. The final has gone to a seventh game 14 times since 1942 and only twice, in 1945 (Toronto 2, Detroit 1) and 1971 (Montreal 3, Chicago 2) has the visiting team won.

Not sure I'm crazy about the Penguins odds.

Nevertheless, there will be some key match-ups in the winner-take-all affair.

Mike Babcock vs. Dan Bylsma

In 2002-03 Bylsma was a little-known checking winger on an Anaheim Mighty Ducks team coached by Babcock that lost in seven games in the final to the New Jersey Devils. It was the most boring final I have ever witnessed. Now the student will attempt to outwit the teacher. Thus far Bylsma has been unable to figure out a way to get the most out of his players on the road. He has one more chance. A few months ago Babcock was plotting on how to guide his troupes to back-to-back championships while Bylsma was changing lines in the American League with Wilkes-Barre.

Bylsma, if nothing else, has made the rink a more fun place to be at than his predecessor, Michel Therrien, did. He has also shown maturity behind the bench that suggests he'll be a successful NHL coach for years to come. Still, Babcock has him in terms of experience and achievement.

Edge: Babcock

Chris Osgood vs. Marc-Andre Fleury

On paper this is a landslide in Detroit's favor. As much as Fleury has shown great potential, the No. 1 pick in the 2003 entry draft is far from money in the bank. That said, Fleury was sharp Tuesday night in making 30 saves, particularly in the third period when the Red Wings outshot the Penguins 14-7. But his strong performance came on the heels of a disastrous outing in Detroit during which he was pulled and that, more than anything else, will be what consumes him over the next 48 hours as he prepares for the finale.

Osgood, meanwhile, has his detractors but has mostly been unyielding for the Red Wings, particularly at home. Osgood will tell you it's all about the team winning and, of course, that is the bottom line. But a solid performance in Game 7 and a Conn Smythe Trophy would go a long way in cementing his reputation as a dependable stopper.

Edge: Osgood

Henrik Zetterberg vs. Sidney Crosby

If we were talking about an entire season, and not just one game, Crosby would win hands down. But we're talking one game here… one road game. And thus far, it has not been a Cup final to remember for Sid the Kid. Not that he has played poorly. But he is not putting up the numbers his team needs from him to secure an upset of the Wings.

Crosby has been held pointless in four of the six games in the final and has yet to register a point in Detroit. Crosby ranks No. 2 in points in the playoffs with 31, four behind the leader, Evgeni Malkin, and seven ahead of Zetterberg, who ranks third.

Zetterberg, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy last season, has a goal and three points in the first three games of the final played in Michigan. Zetterberg has two goals and six points in the final compared to a goal and three points for Crosby.

Edge: Zetterberg

Evgeni Malkin vs. Johan Franzen

Malkin has dispelled any myths about not being a player to be counted on in the final. But, like Crosby, he needs a big Game 7. Malkin had a goal and an assist in the first two games of the final -- pretty good considering the Penguins managed just two goals in those games -- but was barely noticeable in Game 5. Malkin has six goals and 15 points in 12 road games in this year's playoffs compared to eight goals and 20 points in 11 at home.

Franzen has continued his emergence as a bona fide go-to guy for the Red Wings. You just know the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder will spend as much time possible Friday night parked in front of Fleury, setting a screen and trying to add to the 25 goals he has scored in his past 38 playoff games.

Edge: Franzen