And then there were two as the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins square off for the most famous trophy in professional sports.
My analysis and prediction of the series can be found here.
The short version: Penguins in Six.
As always, I encourage reader comments, and I have no problem with differing viewpoints as long as it's done respectfully. Insulting and profane responses will be deleted and ignored as I have no patience for trolls.
As a die hard Red Wings fan, I disagree with your prediction, but I am also a GOOD SPORTSMAN. (For the "trolls" who choose to cuss out Spector...)
Just keep in mind that everyone seemed like they were hyping up Marty Turco because of his valiant 4OT win, (Which was very impressive and showed he is a good goalie..) and talking about how good he is in general, but the Red Wings handled him pretty good, scoring 4 and 5 goals in some games. And I think the veteran corp of the Red Wings will take down another great goalie. While the Pens have a good goalie, the Wings lines will finds a way to handle him just like they did Turco. The Wings have a lot more talent than the Pens (The names listed in your article). And even though Franzen has been out since game 2, the Wings still cruised through Dallas in Games 2 and 3, and finished them off in Game 6. I think they will prove to be the dominating force they have been throughout the playoffs and will show why they will be the Stanley Cup Champions!!!
Many friends have asked me if this Pittsburgh Penguins team reminds me of those Edmonton Oilers teams from the 1980s. It does, but for a different reason.
These Penguins are going to be busted apart in their prime over the next couple of seasons due to the salary cap, just like the Oilers were broken up when Peter Pockington's billfold emptied out.
If the Penguins win this year, they might have a shot at back-to-back titles. If they don't win this year, I doubt they will have a better team next go around. This is their moment.
Detroit is in a similar boat, and all things being equal the Red Wings SHOULD win this Final. Both teams are remarkably balanced, but give Detroit a slight edge for an experienced roster that's earned 20 Stanley Cups (compared to four Cups in the Pittsburgh line-up) and superiority in the faceoff circle. For a puck-possession team playing another highly-skilled club, winning those draws makes a significant impact.
But there's a difference between SHOULD win and WILL win. Goaltending is going to be a huge factor in this series, and Marc-Andre Fleury has more upside than Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek combined. (Frankly, the only thing Pittsburgh has to worry about is Fleury getting injured in Game 1, with the score tied, five minutes to go and Ty Conklin coming off the bench in relief...)
This is going to be a great series, with six close games and a couple of overtime results along the way. But I've got to agree with Spector. On Wednesday June 4, we will get to watch young Sidney Crosby's first sip from Lord Stanley's Cup.
Last edited by Matt_McCallum on May 21st at 4:28 PM.
I find your commentary and point of view on the NHL in general to be the best on the web. Your reviews of the eliminated teams from each series has been great. I am, however, disappointed not to see a column on the FLyers and Stars. What do you think these teams need to do in the off season to make it to the next level?
The reason why there's been no column on what the Flyers and Stars will do next is because the focus right now is on the teams still active in the playoffs. I've been tracking the Stars and Flyers on my website and will have a future column on their status both on Foxsports and The Hockey News in the near future.
Well I'll attempt to break the series by position and intangibles:
Goaltending: Osgood is an average whose stats is a product of the puck possessive wings. Marc Andre Fleury has faced more quality shots, more shots period and still has the better save percentage. Advantage Pens.
Defence: Lindstrom, Kronwall, Rafalski, Chelios, Stuart...etc are better in their own end than Gonchar, Orpik, Whitney, Letang and Gill are. Advantage Wings.
Offense: Many pundits may claims that Detroit as the better balanced offense but I just don't see it. Franzen is out, Lindstrom has 1(?) goal this playoffs and Holmstrom scores garbage goals. Only Zetterburg and Datsyuk are truly dynamic. The Pens trio of Malkin, Hossa and Crosby with the addition of Sykora, Stall, Malone and Talbot exceeds the wings forwards. Advantage Pens
Experience: Not really arguable here, Wings with a huge advantage
Health: Penguins as far as I know are almost completely healthy outside of Roberts. Malkin had some health problems in Philly but looked really good in the final game of the series. Coupled with the layoff, he should be close to 100%. The Wings are missing one of their best forwards of the post-season in Franzen - actually their third best forward this post-season. Advantage Pens
Detriot has home-ice advantage but the Penguins have been very good on the road and unbeatable at home. Detriot has been pretty good at home and very good on the road. Slight advantage to Wings in terms of home-ice versus the visitor circle just because of game 7 potentially.
Overall: If the Penguins (mainly the trio and Fleury) play up to their potential they will win this series in 6. If any of them cannot rise to the occasion the Wings can handidly win this series. Therefore I lean to Detriot, if and only if the Penguins finally show the squalor of too much youth. So what is my final prediction?
I'll gamble and go against my instincts and say Pens in 6... because they sure as hell cannot win in Detroit for game 7.
I wouldn't mind if the Pens won this, but I've gotta say Wings in 5 or 6. Some say that Crosby hasn't fully healed from his injury and that might be true. The fact is that Crosby or Malkin are going to have to kick it into another higher gear. If they can do that, or if Malkin, Crosby and Hossa play at a level that everyone knows they're capable of, then the Pens can definitely take the cup home.
I'll be a little surprised if that does happen because you can't compare the Penguins defense and level of patience to the Wings'. That stuff comes with experience, which the Wings have a lot more of.
This series will be won on defense and special teams. Whoever plays the better defense(and don't think the Penguins can't) will go a long way to winning this series. The special teams for both have mirrored each other, killer power play with a penalty kill to match. Whoever is able to convert on the PP more will probably win this series. Both have are facing their toughest challenge to date. I obviously want my Pens to win. They are more then capable of doing so. Take nothing away from the Red Wings they are a great team. Everybody talks about their experience, but is this when the their age catches up to them? It should be a great series, even better if the Pens win. LET'S GO PENS!!
And McCullum, lay off on Conks already. That wasn't why Edmonton lost that series. Conks I think the co-MVP for the Pens this season with Malkin. And if the Pens win, I heard they are going to campaign to get his name on it. And he should. He more then deserve it with the job he did this year for them.
Hi Spector,
I'm rooting for the Penguins who have a young talented team and Sidney Crosby may be the best young player since Wayne Gretzky. Anyway he's young and Gretzky's Oilers lost the Stanley Cup the first time before winning four. A different time but I'll take the Wings rxperience in six and Henrik Zetterburg as the Conn Smythe winner. Predictions sure to go wrong Yeah! Why do you like the Pens in 6? Take care and best wishes. fenfan
I'm going to agree with Spec 100% on this one, pens in 6. A few questions have to be asked though...Will anyone elese score from detroit other then their 2 snipers? Can the older legs of detroit keep up to the kids who seem to be unstopbable and WILL DETROIT SELL OUT A GAME IN THESE PLAYOFFS?????????????
Its kind of sick if you think about it, pitsburgh has an amazing fan base, I'm pretty sure they've sold out every game, the crowd is nuts and it seems like genuine hockey town. Detroit is boring. Plain and simple, watching a game on tv (no matter what station), you notice how quiet it is, how the fans don't seem into it and you can see all the empty seats. As a hockey fan, you want to see the team win for the fans as much as themeselves...an dI want to see the Pens win for that reason alone.
The wings have a great team they as we all know could win.
The PENS could win because of a win now? like Spector's column suggests.
No because the PENS have more of a team to go longer in OT and 6/7 games.
Pens in 6 is all I agree with here.
I hate to break this to you, my friend, but that comment about Conklin was a joke (of the wry, sardonic variety). Stop being offended, read my post again and you'll see that part about Ty is written with a twinkle in the eye. My use of ellipsis at the end helps to telegraph that point.
For the record, I like Ty Conklin, and he was my personal favourite out of the three-headed goalie monster of Conklin-Markkanen-Morrison the Oilers had prior to Dwayne Roloson arriving on the scene. That was an impossible situation Conklin found himself in back in 2006 -- coming off the bench cold in the Stanley Cup Final after having not played for almost three months -- and just a bad break that he and Jason Smith miscommunicated behind the net. Such is the folly of life, and one of those heartbreaking moments that are a rich part of why we watch sport.
Steve Smith was able to recover from his moment of disgrace and go on to a great, Cup-filled career. I would like nothing more than to see Ty Conklin achieve a similar form of vindication by winning the Cup with the Penguins.
And Conklin no doubt get his name on the mug if the Penguins win. While he only has 33 regular season games (just under the 41 game threshold), suiting up as the back-up goaltender for at least one game of the Finals qualifies as "an appearance" (if not an actual game played), which is how goaltenders like Ilya Bryzgalov got their names on the Cup.
Last edited by Matt_McCallum on May 22nd at 11:54 AM.
Making a prediction here of Wings in 6 that is what I said about the Dallas series and will stick to it.
I have read some opinions all valid in the mind of each.
Here are some points that are worth considering.
Osgood is a better than average goalie; (1 earned, 1 backup) 2 Stanley Cups the argument of 'well Detroit defense has been keeping his GAA below 2 is weak.
Gotta make those stops in Detroit to be good at winning in Detroit and not stopping 15 shots poin blank in game 6 period three is not quality shots in 4 minutes. Also Osgood was called on to clean up after Dom in the Predators series so Osgood has reaction skill to playoff pressure called experience better than average. I will argue that Fleury did not face that many in any game against the Flyers. Edge Detroit.
Defense I like what I have seen of Orpik and Gonchar. But to much outlet passing from Kronwall, speed from Lebda, tenacity and experience from Brian and Lidstrom. Does anyone care to take on the task Detroit defense versus Pittsburgh?
You will be kidding yourself not me. Edge Detroit even with Chelios look at the series he has played in before injury, he is still willing to go and leave it all for team. And if people think Chelios might get injured in the SCF same can be said anyone for Pitt so age factor not a good basis for predicting.
Offense is close and yes have the "Mirrror image" article on Fox the they need win now by LYLE.
But there is one key difference that can be called minute, small, or who cares even; but the difference between the two stars for each team being Sid and Hank is; Hank has steadily throughout his career faced the not closing it bug in his career against the OILERS, the Ducks, and here he is now. Ready to lace em up and closed the Conference Finals.
He will close these finals as he knows what it is like to lose tough games, battles that equals tough series loss.
That determination will FUEL be contagious to the rest of the offense. Example? Drake is here for the first time and what a game 6 versus Dallas he had.
Say what you want about Dallas Drake being old but he generated his game and himself this is his first time in the SCF and Turco is not a slouch in net for the Stars. Argue all you want on that one.
So I with perseverance in adversity Edge Detroit.
Detroit in 6.
I keep in mind what Toe Blake said about predictions they are fortune tellers and gypsies but I think he would be proud of my notes here so this does not appear to be from the occult of a Wings fans but as objective as it is.
so say letsgo is a red wings fan um no kidding.
Lyle is a habs fan and wants the east.
take all in consideration here the Wings have as much a drive as the Pens do and the age of the Wings can still say "Game on" and bring it.
To conclude Detroit will respond to Lidstrom's leadership.
Making him the first European Captain to guide his team to the Stanley Cup. That is making history so all kinds of FUEL to add to the fiery Wings.
That is the kind of response Lidstrom lead by example demands from his team being able to make TEAM history at the end.
I'm not a fan of either team here, in fact, i hate Pittsburgh, mainly because they are divisional rivals. But really, do you actually think Pitts can beat Detroit? Man, i've run over every possible scenario in my head and the only way Pitts can win if Osgood drops the horseshoe and Zetterberg along with Datysuk get deported back to Russia...
All in all, Detroit shouldn't have much of a problem winning the cup. Seriously though, Pitts played a #### ottawa team, a NYR team that can't score and a then Philly. Who never had their top 2 defensemen in and Biron clearly lost the handle on his game. So therefore, Detroit to win, at ease. I might be so bold to say 4 games. But i won't, 5 it is, for good measure.
For this perspective a Pitts win would START Crosby on the road to the next NHL star.
A team perspective and NHL team perspective for Detroit win the Cup make more for Detroit in that Lidstrom is the first Team Captain from Europe to win the Cup and the first European Captain to win the Cup yes this is individual and team perspective for Detroit.
Of course team perspective in win for Crosby but we all know outside of Pitt it would make a bigger statement for Sid.
Hmmm....beginning to the like the scenario with NIck.
Not in my reasoning for wanting the Wings to win (me a fan uhh).
No from his team answering the call how many Swedes are here help history made...MAYBE?
Think of inspiring and wanting the CUP!
I have read inspiration for Sid all week (individual).
Now gotta mention a team concept for the opponent, inspiration for the CUP. Gotta like how this series can be hyped.
Right. One for SID and the other for NICKS TEAM and making NHL history.
McCullem- Sorry I took it the wrong way. I know a lot of Edmonton fans still are plenty mad about the gaff. I also have tremendous amount of respect for Conks, for not only performing the way he did this season, but for the professionalism he displayed when Fleury came back. It wasn't announced as an open competition, but that is kind of what it was. Fleury got his job back, and you didn't hear a word from Conks about it, despite many fans wanting him to remain in net. Can't ask more out o####uy. Hope we resign him, but with money going to be spread thin as it is, and Dany Saborin waiting in the wings, I don't think he will be back. Too bad. Hope the best for him.
I can see this series playing out a couple of ways. The key will be who can win on the road. If the Pens split the first two games, I'll take the Pens in six - I can't see the Pens loosing on home ice. If the Pens come back from Detroit down 2-0 - I'll take the Wings in seven. All the other stuff doesn't matter.
The battle between two heavy weights starts Saturday. It should be a great series, but there could be a surprise. Both teams have enough firepower to end the series in five, and good enough defenses to keep a sweep from happening.
I agree with Lyle, Pens in 6. I find it hard to believe that the wings will be able to stop Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, Malone, Sykora etc. Everyone talks about Detroit's puck possession game, but when those horses get rolling the other way Detroits lack of physicallity is going to be exposed. The wings have very few ####ers, and the ones they do have are older and slower(draper, drake, mcarty). They will not be able to keep up with the Pens to lay those hits down.
1) The best defense beats the best offense. The Wings have the best defenders in Lidstrom/Kronwell. WE can see them shutting the Penguins down.
2) What this series will come down to is will the Redwings be able to play their puck possession game or will Pittsburgh be able to play their up tempo, more wide open style?
3) Regardless of their edge up front, we believe that defense wins championships. As such we see the Redwings as having enough offense and a strong enough defense to stifle the Penguin attack. Perhaps not entirely, but at least contain it enough to eke out 4 victories.
4) Also we do NOT underestimate the experience factor. Many more Wings have been here and know what it takes to win. The Penguins are far too young and shown immature streaks/lack of killer instinct at times this post season. This will NOT be a sweep by either team. However, we believe the Penguins time to win will have to be put off at least another season. Detroit in 6
Just a quick side note too. Some people are saying Chris Osgood is inferior because MAF has more wins..... But this is a distorted number because Osgood didnt come in until Game 5 of the Nashville series. Had he been in the net the whole series, he would have equal wins......
No reasonable person can blame Edmonton's loss in the 2006 Stanley Cup Final on Ty Conklin. (Now, Marc-Andre Bergeron, who shoved Andrew Ladd into Dwayne Roloson, on the other hand...)
What makes this 2008 Stanley Cup Final so particularly fascinating are all the little dramas.
The one that interests me most is Chris Osgood vs. Marc-Andre Fleury. Both these guys have a tonne of baggage on them, most of it unfair.
If Detroit loses the Cup, the idea is further cemented in the popular opinion that Osgood can't win with a great team in front of him. And if Detroit wins, the attitude will be that anyone could win playing net for the Wings. Fleury faces has similar issues from a win or a loss given his early career struggles, although not as pronounced as Osgood's.
How I would love to see one or both of those goalies put on a clinic this series, and prove themselves to their critics.
1.)I will not pretend to be a pompous sports fan.
2.)I will however pretend to be a pompous hockey (Red Wings)fan.
3.)This series will come down to one thing. Can Detroit play UP to their potential. I've been an avid Detroit fan for over 20 years. Through the years I've seen many great Detroit hockey clubs lose major regular season and SCP series games because they beat themselves. They just weren't clicking, clean, and arranged.
4.)Things to watch for in this series.
a.)Can Rafalsi play like he deserves to be Lidstrom's partner? No more blind passes along the boards resulting in scoring ops for opposition
b.)Can Kronwall keep up his hard hitting hungry pace? He has turned out to be one of the most impressive Red Wings this post season. His obvious hunger for the cup is being unleashed on opposing teams in the form of bone adjusting checking and smart offensive assistance, playing like a 10 yr Vet. With this being the final series of the year for these two teams, watch for Kronwall's accumulative efforts to shut down the Pens in the neutral zone resulting in possible injuries.
c.)Osgood = Sogood. There is no doubt that the Pens deserve the chance to toil with the best team in hockey. Their young offense will be spraying Ozzie from every angle, and this will give Osgood the chance to prove that his stats are NOT the result of what team he plays for, but rather that yes, he is as good as his stats say. He has proven once again that he IS Detroit's #1 goaltender, now watch him prove his mental and physical stability, especially in Pitt.
d.)Let 'em play ref! Too many series games are being mucked up by weak calls from the zebras. Let them play the game they love, they're big boys and they can handle it.
e.)Watch for the Wings to be frustrated in the dawn of this war by solid Pitt goaltending and a fast paced offense. Things will settle in around the second period of game 1 though, and then watch for the Pens to take a few bad penaltys, resulting from desperation. Most games will be close early, but as long as Zett's and Dat's are clicking and excited, most games will finish in the 5-2 area.
f.)Where ya been boys? Watch for the Wings' lower lines to thrive this series. Players like Filppula, Cleary and Drake will be making a black and blue impression on the Pens, and watch for fights with McCarty who will be proving himself through his fists.
g.)Face it! We are a puck control team, and this series will not be different. From Draper's face off's to the Wings forwards making it look easy, our constant offensive control will be the deal breaker in this series. No goalie can stand up to the constant pressure the wings bring. Look for 40-45 shots on goal in most games for the wings.
h.)Good to see you! Franz's return in game 2 or 3 will be obvious. You'll see him on the ice AND on the scoreboard. Don't forget, he's not out due to an injury. He is healthy and will want to finish out this season right where he left off ...... DOMINATING.
i.)See you at home boys! Wings in 5, and on top of that, watch for complete Detroit control. Pitt will win game 3, probably like 3-2. No doubt, Pitt is Awesome, but the wings
Chris Osgood is just 60 minutes from tying a 63 year old record: Winning the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final via shutout.
A number of players have earned three consecutive shutouts in the playoffs over the last couple of years. Jean-Sebastian Giguere even did the trick in the first three games of the 2003 Western Conference Final. But nobody's done it in the Stanley Cup Final since Frank McCool did it with the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 1945.
Symbolically, Mr. McCool set the mark against the Detroit Red Wings for the Cup. Detroit came back to make a series of it, winning the next three games (two by shutout), until Toronto won the series in Game 7.
As for the longest shutout streak in the Finals in terms of minutes? 229:22 minutes, set by Clint Benedict spread across a couple of seasons (1923-26). A two more consecutive shutouts this year for Osgood would break that record too.
Last edited by Matt_McCallum on May 27th at 3:57 PM.
THIS IS WHY THE PENS WILL WIN THE CUP...
In 1991, the Giants won the Superbowl...
In 1991, there was a Bush in the White House...
In 1991, there was a Clinton running for President...
In 1991, there was a war in Iraq...
In 1991, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup
In 2008, the Giants won the Super Bowl...
In 2008, there is a Bush in the White House...
In 2008, there is a Clinton running for President..
In 2008, there is a war in Iraq...
In 2008, the Penguins WILL WIN the Stanley Cup!!!
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
