FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Here we go again..., the Detroit Red Wings versus the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second straight year. For the first time since the Islanders-Oilers of the 80's do we get a rematch in the finals and this year, it should be another great series. Sidney and his Pens fought through pretty much everything this season..., sidelining injuries to Gonchar and Whitney, out of playoff contention for around half of the season, firing their head coach and replacing him with a former player, trading Whitney to the Ducks for Kunitz, losing Hossa, Malone, Conklin and Recchi, adding Satan, Fedotenko, Guerin and once again, they are the best of the East. After going the Flyers, the Caps and the Hurricanes, The Penguins are once again on top of the East after a lot of people wrote them off during the season. Yeah..., I was one of them too but after watching this team for a long time and throughout these playoffs, I have to say they are a different team than they were last year at this time. Last season, this was the 'team of destiny', kind of like the Hawks were this year..., a solid young talented team winning series after series and becoming the envy of the hockey world. But this season, even without Hossa, Malone and everyone else they lost during the past year, this team is a much better squad, getting contributions from they're third and fourth liners, they're D is stepping up big and Fleury's a Conn Smythe contender again. Malkin's been lights out most nights, Crosby's been consistent and guys like Guerin, Kunitz and Talbot are chipping in when they can..., this team could be more dangerous than last year for one reason..., proving Hossa wrong! He left the Pens after the Finals, signing a one year deal with the Wings and now, they face each other. If Pittsburgh wins, this could be the 'told you so' they were looking at giving to Hossa after he rejected they're contract offers in the summer. It would be the most fitting thing to happen..., Crosby holding that Cup over his head and looking at Hossa as he lowers his..., priceless! 

But then again, this series is much more than just Hossa vs the Pens..., injuries to Detroit's big guns like Datsyuk, Draper and Lidstrom leave me with question marks all over the place. And as good as Osgood's been lately, it's only a matter of time that he begins to falter and if that happens, the Pens can find the net, hopefully quicker than game 3 lol! Detroit's been on a mission to repeat since winning it all last year and their hopes, as well as Hossa's chance at the Cup, rests in the hands of the 'younger' kids on the Detroit roster..., Helm, Fillipula, Ericcson, etc. If they step up like Franzen did last year? Pittsburgh can't afford to take penalty's against this Detroit team..., Zetterberg, Hossa and Fillipula are too dangerous on the PP. But for me..., the key to this series is Crosby. With another Finals appearance and more experience in playing in the playoffs, he has to be the guy the Pens invested their future in..., he's got 12 so far but he won't get the record in the playoffs. As long as he and Malkin continue their play, Staal picks it up a little, the third and fourth liners play to their strengths and the defense is solid, the Pens oughta do Lemeiux and the city of Pittsburgh proud, winning the Stanley Cup in 7 games over the defending champs. This has all the makings of the best finals since..., well, last year!