Tim Lemke The Washington Times - May 27, 2008, 05:52PM

Despite a compelling series between the Red Wings and Penguins, it appears that most major newspapers are passing on covering the Stanley Cup Final.


According to the Globe and Mail, only eight major dailies outside of Detroit and Pittsburgh will be covering the event. In Canada, only the Toronto papers and two papers in Vancouver will be sending writers.


Among the no-shows: The Washington Post (you’ll notice that Tarik is at Indy), Newsday and both the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News.


The New York Times and Los Angeles Times decided to cover the series only after seeing which teams are involved, according to the Globe and Mail.


While it is true that hockey still does not get as much attention from newspapers as other major sports, the lack of coverage of the finals has more to do with the state of the newspaper industry than the NHL. Travel budgets are being slashed like crazy, making it hard for editors to justify.


The decision by the Philly papers to pass on the series is surprising. At last check, they were located just five hours from Pittsburgh and in the same state. Southwest Airlines: $49 from Philly to Pittsburgh. Just sayin’.


For the record, Washington Times hockey writer Corey Masisak will be covering the games in Pittsburgh (he has family in the area) but will not be making the trip to Detroit (unless there is a Game 7).