The Stanley Cup playoffs are a grueling journey. Not only is hockey the most arduous of team sports, but that’s compounded in the post-season. Teams essentially play every other day; two day rests are cherished like extended beach holidays.

So injuries become a major factor. Certainly it’s been so in today’s Game Four Western Conference matchup between my Red Wings and Chicago.

The Wings took the ice without Kris Draper, Pavel Datsyuk and team leader, Niklas Lidstrom. Methuselahian defenseman Chris Chelios — he’s 147 years old, for heavens’ sake — was put on the roster for the game. Okay he’s really only 47, but still.

But, it seems that the Black Hawks are in worse shape. Goalie Nikolai Khabibulan didn’t suit up, because of “lower body injuries” which benched him in the 3d period of Chitown’s OT W in Game Three.

After two periods, Detroit is in control, 5-1. Truth is a very young Chicago team — average age 14 years old — has cracked. Okay, their average age is really in the low 20s, but still. Stupid plays. Stupid penalties. Lost composure. Black Hawk goalie Cristobal Huet has been pulled. Third stringer Corey Crawford is between the pipes. And he does look like he’s 14. He played most of this year at Rockford. That’s in the minors, the American Hockey League.

So maturity reigns. Whether that’s the story in what is shaping up as a Stanley Cup Finals rematch between young but maturing Pittsburgh and the old fart Red Wings shall be fun to watch.

Assuming you can pull your attention from the Cleveland LeBrons and LA LA Kobys and the soap opera, “I Just Want To Get The Truth Out,” starring wide eyed Karen Sypher, you might give pucks a look.

The 3d period has begun. Huet is back in goal for Chicago. Coach Mike Babcock has given Detroit goalie Chris Osgood a rest for the first time in the playoffs. Ty Conklin’s wearing the pads.

– Seedy K