Wings-Pens Final Matchup
Posted 11:25 PM ET | Comments 6
Let's face it folks, with both the East and West Conference Finals series' at 3-0 in favor of the Penguins and the Red Wings respectively, we know what the Stanley Cup Finals matchup will be already. With only two teams in history having come back from 3-0 deficits, the odds are astronomical that these two teams don't face off for Lord Stanley's prize. So let's look at the matchup.
In terms of raw talent and entertainment value, this finals has the potential to be the most star-laden affair in years, if not decades. Datsyuk and Zetterberg up against Crosby and Malkin?? Give me a BREAK!! This will be a spectacle to behold people! The matchup is another story though. Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, etc. run into the cold, hard fact that Detroit's forwards are more productive (more shots, better shot %) and stone cold superior defensively.
Therrien can try to split up, match up, or move away with line changes, but basically Babcock can match every move he makes and then some. If Franzen is back in time for the Finals, Pittsburgh is in for a serious challenge as Babcock will be content to let the Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom line shut down Penguin scoring while the second line puts up the points. With Dan Cleary getting current second line ice-time, watch for his game to come up a level in game 4 against Dallas, and for the Finals series as well.
Detroit is healthy and deeper than Pittsburgh, and has the stronger defense up front to augment what is arguably one of the best blue line corps in the league. It won't be a cakewalk as the Pens marshall some respectable, and respected talent of their own, but all things considered, my pick is the Red Wings to win it all in 6 games.
In terms of raw talent and entertainment value, this finals has the potential to be the most star-laden affair in years, if not decades. Datsyuk and Zetterberg up against Crosby and Malkin?? Give me a BREAK!! This will be a spectacle to behold people! The matchup is another story though. Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, etc. run into the cold, hard fact that Detroit's forwards are more productive (more shots, better shot %) and stone cold superior defensively.
Therrien can try to split up, match up, or move away with line changes, but basically Babcock can match every move he makes and then some. If Franzen is back in time for the Finals, Pittsburgh is in for a serious challenge as Babcock will be content to let the Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Holmstrom line shut down Penguin scoring while the second line puts up the points. With Dan Cleary getting current second line ice-time, watch for his game to come up a level in game 4 against Dallas, and for the Finals series as well.
Detroit is healthy and deeper than Pittsburgh, and has the stronger defense up front to augment what is arguably one of the best blue line corps in the league. It won't be a cakewalk as the Pens marshall some respectable, and respected talent of their own, but all things considered, my pick is the Red Wings to win it all in 6 games.
33 (I believe) a team came back from a 3-0 deficit. 33 years before that date, another team did the same. Just saying, don't count on anything until it's official. As for your breakdown of the match-up, I'm not so sure the Wings will so easily shut down the Penguins. Their offense is ridiculously deep, I mean they have two number one centers and Jordan Staal as their third line center. Also, the Penguins have been playing a counterattack game where they allow the other team to dictate the play. That's how a team will need to play Detroit, so it could get very interesting indeed. Of course if that series does happen, I like the Wings' odds, after all I'm a Wings' fan. But, it would be close.
Last time I checked the Penguins fowards are far better then what the wings have. If you shut one guy down, a la Zetterberg, the rest of the team goes that way too. The penguins have 4 solid lines that ALL can score. Oz is playing out of his mind right now, but he is facing teams that only have one scoring line. As for your "stone cold superior defense", a lot of your blue line corps will be receiving their AARP cards soon. The pens have the #1 pp
you know just because you made this blog the final is now gonna be philly-dallas (pray for my pool)
You know both series are not over yet...
I now this is a bit late, but I did call it.......