By Michael Farber, SI.com
In the interest of fairness and responsibility, we must first genuflect in the direction of the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and 1975 New York Islanders, the St. Judes of the playoffs, the patron saints of NHL no-hopers like the 2008 Dallas Stars, who probably wish the 33-year-gap between miracles is not a happenstance but a pattern and that they, too, can rally from a 3-0 series deficit.
So you ask, can the Stars, whipped 5-2 at home Monday by the Red Wings, really rally against Detroit after being outclassed for the third straight game in the Western Conference final?
I have a better question.
Who do you like: Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg (above, left) and Pavel Datsyuk (above, right) or Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin?
Sure, this question presupposes a Red Wings-Penguins final -- be still, those fluttering NHL hearts -- but there is no reason not to get ahead of ourselves, just as there is no reason the Red Wings shouldn't be ahead of overmatched and outworked Dallas. Although it has more business to which it must attend, Pittsburgh handled its two opening home games against the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference final fairly comfortably; so there is no reason not to ponder the most inviting matchup in the Stanley Cup final since Colorado faced New Jersey in 2001.
Based on the current Zetterberg-Datsyuk vs. Crosby-Malkin evidence -- 35 playoff points for the Red Wings pair, 34 for the precocious Penguins -- the answer is no clearer than Surf vs. Turf. This is a matter of personal preference, although the fact that the two young Pittsburgh centers play on different lines might give them an advantage in the minds of many. In Game 1 against the Flyers, Malkin ruled. When Malkin receded in Game 2 -- he shied away from contact and made a weak pass at the blue line that Mike Richards turned into a short-handed goal -- Crosby dominated. You can get away from them, but not often. At least one of them will be on the ice two-thirds of the game; they join forces on power plays.
But after Datsyuk's hat trick and the back-breaking shorthanded goal by Zetterberg Monday, the smart money leans toward the dazzling Detroit linemates, whose synchronicity has them dancing all over the Stars. They entered Game 3 with 25 shots between them, one more than all the Dallas forwards. They left it with three points each, a display of virtuosity that was redolent of Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri, Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy or any pair of post-expansion linemates you care to name. They scored five-on-five, four-on-four, four-on-five. They each scored on a backhand. They looked like they were playing against the Washington Generals.
For sheer beauty, the 25-foot backhand that Datsyuk blew off the post past Stars goalie Marty Turco for Detroit's first goal probably was the most exceptional. But the most significant goal was Zetterberg's short-hander with the Stars trailing by only one and having the advantage of a fresh ice for a power play at the start of the third period. On a play begun by goalie Chris Osgood -- he is now 9-0 as a starter since relieving Dominik Hasek in Game 4 of the first-round series against Nashville -- Zetterberg wound up with the puck one-on-one against the Stars' Brad Richards, a center. Richards, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner with Tampa Bay in 2004, does many things well, but defending against one of the most gifted skaters in the league is not one of them. Identifying that he was facing a forward, Zetterberg corkscrewed Richards with a move, delayed, forced Turco to commit and backhanded the puck into the net to give Detroit a 4-2 lead. The Red Wings, now 11-2 in the playoffs, had not blown a third-period lead this spring. After sucking the oxygen out of the arena in Dallas, it wasn't about to start happening then.
When Crosby and Malkin take the ice for Game 3 in Philadelphia Tuesday, they will know the bar has been set awfully high. Let's see them respond. Zetterberg-Datsyuk vs. Crosby-Malkin seems like one of those virtual over-the-rafters-nothing-but-net-Michael Jordan-Larry Bird commercials, only they last 60 minutes and not 60 seconds.
Damaris Lewis
Cintia Dicker
NFL Fantasy Studs Week 11
Back in Time: November 23
Comments (35) Add A Comment
Oh Michael! I must check back here tomorrow to see what kind of grief you're going to receive from Flyer fans. I hope you're ready for it!
CofC
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (1)
I'm not quite ready to count the Flyers out just yet. But, for the sake of arguement, let's say it is Pens-Wings in the final. That matchup is not Malkin-Crosby v. Zetterberg-Datsyuk. It's Pens-Wings. If and when that happens, its Wings in a romp. The Wings have the better blue line and way better checking lines. Their special teams are, well, sepecial. This Wings team is a Juggernaut.
That matchup is also East v. West. This, too, is a romp. I realize that the West is past all you peoples' bed time back there. But, regardless of which teams make the final, the West is just way better than the East right now, The East will be punched in the mouth and when they wake up the disciplined two-way play that characterizes the West will be overwhelming.
The "dream final" people are hoping for will be anti-climactic. Wings/West over Pens/East 4 games to 1.
mnwild18
Saint Paul , MN
Total Comments (18)
Pittsburgh may never touch the puck the whole cup
pjdk28
Stony Brook , NY
Total Comments (48)
mnwild18: "The "dream final" people are hoping for will be anti-climactic. Wings/West over Pens/East 4 games to 1."
You've almost got it right. I think a Red Wing sweep is more probable. There is simply no way the Pens (or Flyers) could keep up with the Wings ... and don't let any of their fans persuade you otherwise.
Las Vegas Rocks
Total Comments (4)
I understand the need to inject drama into the Cup Finals, for the sake of the NHL. And it's nice to have Sid the Kid in the Finals, if that's the way it goes. But, as the other bloggers seems to agree, no **** way a Pens-Wings series gets past five games. This is as good a Wings team as the one that one won back-to-back 10 years ago. Perhaps better. Zetterberg is one of the best players the Wings have ever had.
Spkill
Washington , DC
Total Comments (18)
I wouldn't be so eager to count the Pens out of that series w/ Detroit just yet. The Pens have dominated the East in the playoffs as much as the Red Wings have dominated the West. Going into tonight's Game 3 in Philly the Pens are 10-1 in the playoffs. Yeah, the Senators really backed into the playoffs, but the Pens took out the Rangers in 5 have won their first 2 vs the Flyers. Jagr has been the only player to get much done vs the Pens so Detroit's top pair is likely to do well also. Detroit's competition hasn't really been top-tier either though. They've been the beneficiaries of their top seed, which they definitely earned. Is Detroit stonger? Yeah, probably. I think they proved that all season long. Though I really think it would be a closer series than a lot of you guys seem to think.
JohnnyPolo24
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (73)
Philly hasn't won any sports title in what, 100 years. Pittsburgh owns Philly- can you say Steelers?? Pens in 5 and the state dominance continues. Oh yeah, Philly has the lead in crime.
The real story
Cranberry Twp , PA
Total Comments (8)
Wings/Pens is the NHL's dream come true. I think it will be a great series, and I can see it going 6 or 7. Pittsburgh is scary good, but can the top lines play on both ends? I believe that is why Detroit will win it all.
Brave Sir Robin
Nashville , TN
Total Comments (72)
Pens will sweep the Philadelphia Cryers; oops I'm Flyers in 4 games then bring the cup back to Pittsburgh in 5. Everybody thinks the Red Wings are a great team and they most certainly are, but the Pen have way too much fire power and they can hold the blue line just as well as Detroit. Also, let's not forget, Fluery is 10-1. That, is no fluke.
Toddmm5
Latrobe , PA
Total Comments (133)
No one outside of Pittsburgh gives the Penguins any credit. They work hard on the offensive and defensive sides of the rink. Fleury has under 2.00 GAA. Their stars are scoring regularly, 39 goals for and 21 goals against. The Pens are 10 and 1 in the playoffs. The can hit, score and play great D. I don't even think that they are playing to their potential yet. But, most importantly, they are healthy.
I think they haven't been playing against crap teams in the playoffs, they've just been outplaying them.
If the Penguins can finish off the Flyers, I think they will give Detroit a good series, it won't be a Detroit sweep or even a 5 game series.
Jackmisfit
Beaver , PA
Total Comments (24)
Not to take anything away from the Pens, but they really haven't had to play a team with a lot of consistent scoring thus far in the playoffs; the Sens tanked, the Rangers made it into the tournament more on their defense than by blowing opponents away on the score sheet, and Philly's scoring is just average. It will be interesting to see how the Pens defensive game (which has looked good to this point) will stand up to the speed and finish ability of the Red Wings. Oh, and I wonder how well Fleury will handle the mouth full of Holmstrom that all of the Western Conference goalis have had to deal with during their Red Wings series......
TopDollar
Total Comments (4)
I think the Patriots are still giving some clinics: "How to Respect your Opponent" and "Overconfidence: The Most Common Mistake". One day courses and dirt cheap.
silars
Total Comments (1652)
You know the NHL would love to have a Wings-Pens Stanley Cup Final. I bet that this will have the highest viewer ratings ever for a Stanley Cup. Two top notch teams with prolific scorers and great goal tending from two guys who you don't hear about that often. What a series that would be...... If they both get in.
Cavs
Total Comments (43)
Those who comment are quick to indict the East as being weak overall. Compared to the West, that may be the case; however, the Penguins are 10-3-1 against the West this year. Those gaudy numbers resulted from play prior to Crosby's return from injury and Malkin's break-out play. For the first time, we are seeing a complete Penguins team, and I don't believe their record's a fluke. Detroit is an absolutely phenomenal team, but the Penguins have finally become the buzzsaw that many predicted pre-season. All I know is that I'm so friggin' excited for a Pens-Wings final. I hope it happens in a very injury free way for both sides.
HobbyObelisk
Reading, PA
Total Comments (1)
I agree with TopDollar. Though I'd argue that although Philly is not top-heavy in talent like the Pens are they have a deeper, more consistent pool of goal-scorers. Philly was 6th in the NHL in scoring this year and are 3rd in G/game in the playoffs (behind Pit & Det). The Pens D as well as Fleury are and have been better than they've been given credit for being. Detroit has been dominant, but before this dismantling of Dallas only had to beat Nashville and a Colorado team that had 8 starters miss all or part of the series, not to mention two who each played on a broken foot. If Pit can knock out the Flyers it should be a great final. Both teams have really rolled up the wins in short order in these playoffs.
JohnnyPolo24
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (73)
There really is no need to defend the Pens (or Flyers). It is probably best to let the Detroit fans spin themselves up into such a furvor and froth that it carries over to their team.
Once their team is brimming with overconfidence, it should be an easy East win. There will be plenty of time to post comments about how the Wings managed to lose it after the fact.
silars
Total Comments (1652)
I have some respect for the East but the Red Wings are hockey Royalty. They have vetran leadership, their defence is the best, and have an explosive offence. They can hit you so many ways it would be hard for anyone can keep up. I would say Pitt in 6 and Flyers in 4. So as a Red Wings fan....Go Flyers.
bleedredwings
Total Comments (1)
Do you really think the Wings will be overconfident? Have you ever seen the Red Wings play or any of their interviews? In general, hockey players tend to be pretty humble, and this Wings team reflects their captain, Lidstrom, just like they did with Yzerman. Quiet confidence.
That said, this Wings team is amazing to watch, and the skill level in a Penguins - Red Wings matchup would be incredible. But based on Detroit's offense and defense, I don't see how any team could beat this team four times.
The Winged Wolverine
Total Comments (131)
The Pens don't have an explosive offense and a high quality defense? And, if you can't handle physical play, you can't beat the Flyers.
Veteran leadership only gets you so far, too. Ask the New York Rangers. Not entirely uncommon for the hungry, young guys to beat the ringed veterans.
silars
Total Comments (1652)
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