Stanley Cup Finals Preview

Well as much I have tried to forget it, the Pittsburgh Penguins, not the Flyers, are advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. The Flyers gave their fans a glimmer of hope after a game four win, but couldn't get any sort of momentum going in the final game of the series, and the Pens won easily. The Red Wings also built a 3-0 lead in their series with Dallas before losing games four and five. They were able to stop the bleeding and post a solid 4-1 win in game six. So the match-up is set and the puck will drop in Detroit on Saturday to start the finals.

Key Match-up #1: Pittsburgh forwards vs. Detroit defensemen
This is strength vs. strength here. Pittsburgh still has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lurking around and that alone is better than most other teams entire offense. Throw in Marian Hossa and Jordan Staal (when he's on his game) and you have the makings of an overpowering offense. However, Detroit can counter with perennial Norris trophy finalist Nicholas Lindstrom, the ageless wonder Chris Chelios, three time cup winner Brian Rafalski and Nik Kronwall. Detroit has the deepest defense in the league and they will certainly be tested during this series. There aren't many teams that can have a top defensive pairing on the ice to match up against Crosby's line and Malkin's line.

Advantage: Detroit

Key Match-up #2: Detroit forwards vs. Pittsburgh defensemen
Detroit quietly also has one of the deepest offensive teams in the league. They scored the most goals in the NHL while allowing the least. You will win a lot of games that way, and that's what Detroit has done. They have their flashy stars such as Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk but they can also hurt you with guys like Jeff Franzen who came out of nowhere this post season to score 11 goals. Pittsburgh's defense was a big question mark coming into the playoffs, but they have exceeded expectations and shut down all opposition. They will be hard pressed to keep it up against Detroit as they haven't faced a team this deep yet.

Advantage: Detroit

Question marks: Goaltending
Neither team's goalies have been spectacular this post season. Marc-Andre Fleury because he hasn't had to be, and Detroit switched their goalies halfway through the opening series. Fleury has put up good numbers so far, but he hasn't been tested much, so it will be interesting to see how he fares against a better offense. The Red Wings better hope they don't need Chris Osgood to steal a game for them because he hasn't shown the ability to do just that.

Advantage: Pittsburgh

Prediction: Detroit in 6

Pittsburgh has been solid this post season, but Detroit's depth will cause problems for Pittsburgh's forwards and defensemen.