The Stanley Cup Finals are approaching fast and my favorite team, the Red Wings, are in it to win. However, Pittsburgh is standing in the way of that goal, with young phenoms Sidney Crosby and Evengai Malkin. I think Pittsburgh will give the Wings a run for their money, but in the end, I say the Red Wings win. Here are my thoughts position by position.
Offense- Both of these teams have offensive threats who will score goals that no goalie can stop. Detroit has Zetterburg and Datsyuk as the main threats on Line 1. Sadly, Johan Franzen is doubtful for Game 1, which disappoints me because he was our best goal scorer in the playoffs. Of course, scoring goes deep for Detroit, with Cleary, Hudler, Filpulla, Holmstrom, and Samuellson all having the ability to score any night. With Pittsburgh, there are four guys who come to mind when I think of their offense: Sidney Crosby, Evengai Malkin, Marian Hossa, and Ryan Malone. These guys can all have big games, and I'm hoping for a strong defensive showcase by the Wings. Edge: Pittsburgh
Defense- To me this is no contest. The Red Wings, when healthy, have the best defensive unit in the game. Lidstrom and Rafalski provide a finese D that can quickly get the puck and give them to the forwards. Kronwall and Chelios provide a more physical, body bruising line that can give players aches. Also, Datsyuk, who's not a defenseman, leads the NHL in takeaways. Pittsburgh has Sergei Gonchar, and I'm not familiar with any of the other guys. Edge: Detroit
Goaltending- This is quite the matchup for the Finals. Osgood and Fleury have been doing their best to keep the puck out of the net, and they've done better than other goalies during the playoffs. Osgood has a solid track record of goaltending and Fleury surprised many people. I give the slight edge to Osgood due to more experience. Edge: Detroit.
Outcome: Detroit wins 4-2.
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Comments (5)
You wouldnt predict a Penguin victory if you had a gun to your head homer. Get real. Pitt has the better talent and goaltending. All you guys have is tradition which doesnt produce goals. I will throw you a bone and say Pittsburgh in 6 or 7.
Cassidy's House: Perfect Gem | 05/22/08, 01:00 PM
Report Offensive Comment"Pitt has the better talent and goaltending".
Okay, Osgood led the league with a 2.09 GAA,Hasek came in at number 4 with 2.14.Fleury didn't even break the top ten in GAA.
"All you guys have is tradition which doesnt produce goals."
WOW! Let me break this down for you dear. Goals lead to wins, wins to championships, championships to tradition.
Long and short of it is the Wings have the edge in net, the edge in depth, and the edge in expierence. Wings in six.
Mr Hayward Autzen McArthur | 05/22/08, 01:50 PM
Report Offensive CommentObviously you are going to pick the Wings to win. Tehy are a great team and I am sure this is going to be a tough series, however, I am not sold on the Wings winning the Cup. You are not familiar with any of the other Pen's defensemen, but after this series you will know them all, and know them well. One of the stories in this years playoffs is the underrated PGH Defense. Brooks Orpik is a bruiser, Hal Gill has shut down top players i.e. Jagr, Whitney is a great offensive D, Hossa, Talbot, & Staal are the best at penalty killing. Here is a stat I want you to look up and will define the series...Special Teams i.e. Power Play & Penalty Killing. The Pen's have the advantage here, and they are young and healthy. Pens in 5.
Juggo Ty | 05/22/08, 06:55 PM
Report Offensive CommentI disagree about Pit. having the edge in offense. I think you do also. You named 8 players with great depth on the Wings, but only 4 Pit. players. However one Stat that I will give the edge to Pit. on is drawing penalties. Lead by cry-baby-Crosby!
gamescrub | 05/22/08, 10:36 PM
Report Offensive CommentYou guys know we're all **** in the wind with all these comments on who is going to win don't you? After the first 3 games we'll be able to talk some smack about are team....
Cavs | 05/23/08, 09:37 AM
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