I don't think the NHL could have asked for a better Stanley Cup Final this year. Detroit and Pittsburgh — Hockey Town, USA versus the face of the entire new NHL, Sidney Crosby (not to mention Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury).
These two teams have had almost identical post seasons. Combined, they have only lost six games (Detroit, four; Pitsburgh, two) during these playoffs. Both teams have dominated with their incredibly potent offenses and have shut down with stellar defense and some timely goaltending. The surprise on this one is Pittsburgh's defense.
We all knew going in that Detroit's defense was rivaled only by the Anaheim connection of Pronger-Neidermeyer-Schneider but we weren't expecting Pittsburgh to have the same type of shut-down style.
The series has the potential of going to a Game 7 but something tells me whoever gets on a roll will continue to steam through in five games.
Pittsburgh: OK, everybody knows the deal here. Sidney Crosby and Evgen Malkin have held down the fort. Sure, Crosby only has four goals but they look nice beside his 17 assists for 21 points in just 14 games. Malkin has been great as usual with 19 points in as many games but how about deadline-acquired Marian Hossa? Everybody counted this guy out because of his years in Ottawa and the lackluster performance in Atlanta the previous year. Not a playoff threat? How about tied with Malkin with nine goals and 10 assists? The offense drops a bit after the big guns but don't count out red-hot Ryan Malone, Jordan Staal or the crafty veteran Sykora.
Center: The edge goes to Pittsburgh on this one. Nothing against Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Draper and Filppula-it's just how they are used. Datsyuk has turned into a winger during these playoffs and has turned this offense, primarily, into a one-line team with Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom. Pittsburgh is just too deep at center with Crosby, Malkin and Staal and the highly underrated Maxime Talbot playing pivot.
Left Wing: The edge here will go to Detroit for one main reason: Johan Franzen's potential return. If and when Franzen gets back he could be the catalyst in these playoffs. However, aside from that, you still have the aforementioned Pavel Datsyuk playing winger to Zetterberg, Jiri Hudler and the grinding pains that are Dallas Drake and Kirk Maltby. For Pittsburgh, their only big threat on the wing is the talented Ryan Malone. Pascal Dupuis and Jarkko Ruutu are quality character guys but don't carry the firepower of a Datsyuk, Hudler or Franzen.
Right Wing: I'll give the edge to Pittsburgh on this one. Marian Hossa has the talent to swing a game his team's way, especially with Sidney Crosby passing him the puck. Petr Sykora is no slouch either and has found some terrific chemistry with Malkin and Malone. The puck stops there with undeniable talent but it is enough to best Detroit. If Tomas Holmstrom were playing to his playoff-potential it might be different but after Holmstrom the Wings become speedy grinders on the right side. However, watch out for Daniel Cleary to do some damage this round.
Pittsburgh: Highly underrated is what I would call this defense. They are no Detroit, that's for sure, but they have shutdown some quality offenses (The Flyers and Rangers were no slouches). Sergei Gonchar has proven that he is not just a one-sided player, upping his defensive game in these playoffs and proving to be the go-to, shutdown guy that Pittsburgh needed. The acquisition of Hal Gill at the deadline was a brilliant move seeing as how he is a one-man penalty killing machine. What he lacks in speed and movement (and boy does he lack), he makes up for in range, reach and smarts in his own end. The big disappointment here is Ryan Whitney who has struggled all season to reach the same heights he reached last year. Hopefully he can find his game in this final series.
Edge: Hands down, Detroit wins the battle of the defense. When you have Nik Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski manning your blue line you have nothing to worry about. That is, however, until Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin come knocking at your door.
Pittsburgh: The Pens proved during the season that they could win without Marc-Andre Fleury with Ty Conklin backing them up but then again, they did ride the Fleury bus well into the post season.
Edge: Both goalies have similar numbers — a 12-2 record, 1.70 GAA for Fleury, a 10-2 record, 1.60 for Osgood — however, the thing to pay attention to is saves. There is a staggering difference between the two squads. While Osgood has looked amazing he also has the best defense in the league to help him out. He has only had to make 268 saves compared to Fleury's 364. Add three shutouts to Fleury's growing playoff legend and you've got one hell of a career ahead of you.
The edge goes to Pittsburgh between the pipes.
Pittsburgh:Therrien's experience in the playoffs is limited, only making it with the Montreal Canadiens in the 2001-02 season and last season with the Penguins. This is his first trip to the final and will have to find a way to stay competitive against the quiet motivator that is Mike Babcock.
Edge: I'd give my vote to Babcock on this one simply because he's felt the sting of a loss before and did so with a much, much, muuuuccch weaker team. He has the backing of his entire team and his the veterans love him. Therrien is good with the youngsters on his team but he can easily get under his player's skin with his brash attitude and penchant for using the media to start a fire beneath underperforming players.
The winner of this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs (drumroll please)...The Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. Enjoy the last round of the fastest game on ice!
J.P. Del Monte is UPDATE! National Hockey League editor.
These two teams have had almost identical post seasons. Combined, they have only lost six games (Detroit, four; Pitsburgh, two) during these playoffs. Both teams have dominated with their incredibly potent offenses and have shut down with stellar defense and some timely goaltending. The surprise on this one is Pittsburgh's defense.
We all knew going in that Detroit's defense was rivaled only by the Anaheim connection of Pronger-Neidermeyer-Schneider but we weren't expecting Pittsburgh to have the same type of shut-down style.
The series has the potential of going to a Game 7 but something tells me whoever gets on a roll will continue to steam through in five games.
THE OFFENSE
Detroit: The vast majority of Detroit's offense has come from the Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk tandem, with 21 and 19 points respectively between them in 16 games. Playoff warrior Tomas Holmstrom has been relatively quiet in these playoffs with only 10 points in 16 games. What will hurt them most, however, is the potential absence of Johan Franzen (12 goals in 11 games). Franzen has missed five straight games and is doubtful for Game 1 of the final, but Detroit has managed well without him so time shall tell. After that, the strong checking lines come into play — and these guys can score! Kris Draper('s face) got the Wings the game winning goal to put Dallas on ice.
Pittsburgh: OK, everybody knows the deal here. Sidney Crosby and Evgen Malkin have held down the fort. Sure, Crosby only has four goals but they look nice beside his 17 assists for 21 points in just 14 games. Malkin has been great as usual with 19 points in as many games but how about deadline-acquired Marian Hossa? Everybody counted this guy out because of his years in Ottawa and the lackluster performance in Atlanta the previous year. Not a playoff threat? How about tied with Malkin with nine goals and 10 assists? The offense drops a bit after the big guns but don't count out red-hot Ryan Malone, Jordan Staal or the crafty veteran Sykora.
Center: The edge goes to Pittsburgh on this one. Nothing against Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Draper and Filppula-it's just how they are used. Datsyuk has turned into a winger during these playoffs and has turned this offense, primarily, into a one-line team with Datsyuk-Zetterberg-Holmstrom. Pittsburgh is just too deep at center with Crosby, Malkin and Staal and the highly underrated Maxime Talbot playing pivot.
Left Wing: The edge here will go to Detroit for one main reason: Johan Franzen's potential return. If and when Franzen gets back he could be the catalyst in these playoffs. However, aside from that, you still have the aforementioned Pavel Datsyuk playing winger to Zetterberg, Jiri Hudler and the grinding pains that are Dallas Drake and Kirk Maltby. For Pittsburgh, their only big threat on the wing is the talented Ryan Malone. Pascal Dupuis and Jarkko Ruutu are quality character guys but don't carry the firepower of a Datsyuk, Hudler or Franzen.
Right Wing: I'll give the edge to Pittsburgh on this one. Marian Hossa has the talent to swing a game his team's way, especially with Sidney Crosby passing him the puck. Petr Sykora is no slouch either and has found some terrific chemistry with Malkin and Malone. The puck stops there with undeniable talent but it is enough to best Detroit. If Tomas Holmstrom were playing to his playoff-potential it might be different but after Holmstrom the Wings become speedy grinders on the right side. However, watch out for Daniel Cleary to do some damage this round.
THE DEFENSE
Detroit: The Wings' D was overshadowed by Anaheim's big names. When all was said and down, however, they proved that they really are the best defense in all of hockey. Nik Lidstrom is too good and Brian Rafalski proved that it wasn't New Jersey that made him look good--it was his talent. My friend and all-knowing Schwab-stumper, SeannyC, said it best: "Rafalski would have looked just as good in Atlanta as he did in New Jersey." But this team doesn't stop after those big names; Niklas Kronwall has been absolutely phenomenal, quietly putting together a consistent, quality game with some MAJOR hits. And how can we forget that the Wings acquired Brad Stuart, giving them the depth that Pittsburgh could only dream of? Oh, and remember Chris Chelios? Yeah, he's not too shabby either.
Pittsburgh: Highly underrated is what I would call this defense. They are no Detroit, that's for sure, but they have shutdown some quality offenses (The Flyers and Rangers were no slouches). Sergei Gonchar has proven that he is not just a one-sided player, upping his defensive game in these playoffs and proving to be the go-to, shutdown guy that Pittsburgh needed. The acquisition of Hal Gill at the deadline was a brilliant move seeing as how he is a one-man penalty killing machine. What he lacks in speed and movement (and boy does he lack), he makes up for in range, reach and smarts in his own end. The big disappointment here is Ryan Whitney who has struggled all season to reach the same heights he reached last year. Hopefully he can find his game in this final series.
Edge: Hands down, Detroit wins the battle of the defense. When you have Nik Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski manning your blue line you have nothing to worry about. That is, however, until Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin come knocking at your door.
THE GOALIES
Detroit: Chris Osgood stepped in to fill Dominik Hasek's shoes after the Dominator stumbled mightily against the Predators. Since then, Osgood has been nearly perfect.
Pittsburgh: The Pens proved during the season that they could win without Marc-Andre Fleury with Ty Conklin backing them up but then again, they did ride the Fleury bus well into the post season.
Edge: Both goalies have similar numbers — a 12-2 record, 1.70 GAA for Fleury, a 10-2 record, 1.60 for Osgood — however, the thing to pay attention to is saves. There is a staggering difference between the two squads. While Osgood has looked amazing he also has the best defense in the league to help him out. He has only had to make 268 saves compared to Fleury's 364. Add three shutouts to Fleury's growing playoff legend and you've got one hell of a career ahead of you.
The edge goes to Pittsburgh between the pipes.
THE COACHES
Detroit:The experience factor goes to Detroit's Mike Babcock who found himself in the Finals in 2003, coaching the underdog Anaheim Ducks to a Game 7 loss against New Jersey. You'll rarely see him getting riled up behind the bench, especially when compared to Pittsburgh's fiery French-Canadian, Michel Therrien.
Pittsburgh:Therrien's experience in the playoffs is limited, only making it with the Montreal Canadiens in the 2001-02 season and last season with the Penguins. This is his first trip to the final and will have to find a way to stay competitive against the quiet motivator that is Mike Babcock.
Edge: I'd give my vote to Babcock on this one simply because he's felt the sting of a loss before and did so with a much, much, muuuuccch weaker team. He has the backing of his entire team and his the veterans love him. Therrien is good with the youngsters on his team but he can easily get under his player's skin with his brash attitude and penchant for using the media to start a fire beneath underperforming players.
PREDICTION
Will this battle of the titans see two of the league's best teams all season long scrape, grind and claw its way to seven games or will one team take the ball and roll with it? I don't see too much blood in this one — just a lot of free flowing skating and some of the prettiest goals (or saves) of the playoffs.
The winner of this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs (drumroll please)...The Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. Enjoy the last round of the fastest game on ice!
J.P. Del Monte is UPDATE! National Hockey League editor.