Detroit and Pittsburgh are competing in the finals of the world’s most arduous and taxing sport.

What astonishes me is that this is the 3d Stanley Cup Finals game in the last four days. That’s right, kids. So the next time some NFLer complains about no time to rehab for a Sunday game after a Monday nighter, I’m going to tell him to call Niklas Lidstrom or Sid Crosby and see if they’re sympathetic.

I doubt it.

There was no scoring in the 2d. Pittsburgh dodged that bullet in the first, avoiding a penalty for too many men on the ice. Immediately after which interlude, they tallied for the tie. Kris Letang put the biscuit in the basket.

Evgeni Malkin has been on the ice for 12+ minutes. Remember he got a fighting instigation penalty in the last five minutes of Game Two. Which meant automatic suspension for the next game. Unless . . . the NHL front office changed the call. Which they did, allowing Pittsburgh’s second best player to compete tonight.

So much for a rule is a rule. But, hey, maybe David Stern could use this. Say Kobe commits his sixth foul against Orlando next week. Stern could wave his wand from his courtside throne and immediately allow Bryant to finish the game under the Superstar Exclusionary Rule.

Anyway, the 3d period should and will be hotly contested. Tune in. It’s on Versus.

– Seedy K