As frequently inept as the National Hockey League has been run, the suits have to be busting their buttons having this matchup. Detroit and Pittsburgh proved to be the two best hockey teams, each playing in U.S. markets, with recognizable stars. To make this all the more compelling, each is playing at the top of their game, leading anyone to believe this could be a special Stanley Cup Final. For the third year in a row, the finalists did not meet during the regular season, further enhancing the drama, because of the unknown. With NBC in reruns, this will be the best television viewing on the Peacock Network starting Saturday night.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are trying for fourth Stanley Cup since 1997 and the have the weapons to complete the task. Detroit had the best record during the regular season, earning home ice advantage, making this among the reasons why they are a -165 favorite to drink from Lord Stanley’s Cup. For the most part, the Red Wings controlled the action in the Western Conference playoffs, registering 12-4 record, with a couple of wobbles against Nashville and Dallas.
Detroit is led by Nicklas Lidstrom, whose resume is heading towards being one of the best defensemen ever in the NHL. Offensive stalwarts like Henrik Zetterburg, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom make the Red Wings difficult to contain in their own end. One key individual that has been and could be missing is Johan “The Mule” Franzen, who did not play against Dallas with concussion-like symptoms and has not been cleared yet by doctors to play. Detroit’s offense has sputtered for periods without him, as Franzen is still their leading scorer even missing a complete series.
Goalie Chris Osgood took over for a shaky Dominik Hasek in round one and has been airtight in posting 10-2 record. Osgood has benefited from superior defensive play in front of him, facing less than 22 shots a game in the postseason, but has been right when called upon.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The thought of the Pittsburgh franchise being dismantled, moved or whatever the NHL was thinking about, is nothing but a distant memory for a team that might be making several more visits to playing hockey in late May. This is the Penguins first trip back to the Finals since 1992, as they were about to complete back-to-back Cup wins with the great Mario Lemieux, who is now part of the team’s ownership group. Just like those Pittsburgh teams that were offensive-minded and had young stars like Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, the current collection has two of the brightest stars in the game in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
These two have been the driving force, creating physical and mental pressure on defenses, with two scoring lines that are nearly equal, lending to Pittsburgh’s 12-2 postseason mark. To make matter worse for opponents, the third line led by Jordan Staal was virtually unstoppable against Philadelphia, as he scored four goals.
The weak links of the Penguins for several years has been the blue line and goaltending. The race of the cup has proved to be just the opposite. Netminder Marc-Andre Fleury has a 1.70 GAA and .938 save percentage after three rounds, the best in postseason. Defensemen Sergei Gonchar and Brooks Orpik will likely draw the assignment of containing Detroit’s big line and have met every challenge to date. Most of the other Pittsburgh defensemen are talented, yet inexperienced, especially playing on this stage. Fleury and the Pens defense have often been able to play with a lead.
Stanley Cup Prediction
The way to keep Pittsburgh from scoring is play keep away with the puck and Detroit is arguably the best in hockey in doing so. These young talented Pittsburgh skaters have flat out been more talented than the teams they have faced; this will not be the case in the Finals, facing a squad that also has a wealth of experience. Pittsburgh is 25-22 on the road this season and just 5-6 in last 11 in the visitor’s uniforms, taking on Detroit at “The Joe”, where the Red Wings are 36-13. When the series moves to Pittsburgh, the Pens are 34-15, with Detroit much better on the road at 30-19.
As mentioned, the Red Wings have misfired on offense occasionally, while Pittsburgh has shown they have a variety of options, meaning they can keep the pressure on. Though both have been exceptional, the Penguins have played with more of an edge throughout the NHL playoffs, showing more skill in precision in both ends of the rink.
Commissioner Gary Bettman’s alteration of the league is complete, with these two teams making the Stanley Cup Finals. What you will see is teams relying on speed, skill and intelligence, rather than brute force or intimidation, which is how hockey was meant to be played. Having posted a 12-2 record is series predictions, believe the Penguins have a little more of the aforementioned and win a classic series.
Pick- Pittsburgh +135 in six
Note- For Conn Smythe Winner (MVP), consider Malkin at 3-1 or Fleury at 6-1.
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