1. Detroit Red Wings versus 2. Pittsburgh Penguins

Dave: Whenever I watch Eastern Conference teams play Western Conference teams I am blown away by how different their games can be. The West is traditionally a more finesse, speed game that keeps defense on their toes. The Penguins play a very similar style with Cry Crosby, Malkin, and Staal, but if this series comes down to the defense, Pittsburgh is at a serious disadvantage. They have a good defenseman in Sergei Gonchar, a few young up-and-comers in Letang, Whitney, and Scuderi. But, Detroit has more experience and has been pitching in from the blue line. Rafalski, Kronwall and Lidstrom (who could very well win the Norris, again) have combined for 32 points. You also have to give Chris Osgood the advantage in net, seeing as he’s been to the promise land twice already. As a Philly fan I hate both teams in this finals match-up and hope that maybe the NHL will at least get some good publicity from this and spark a little more interest in my favorite sport.

IN 6

Jeff: This is going to be the match-up the NHL desperately wanted and needed. The NHL needed this type of matchup to get people re-interested in the sport. It will be a match-up of star talent: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marian Hossa, and Marc-Andre Fleury will face off against Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Niklas Lidstrom, and Chris Osgood. How Pittsburgh’s and Detroit’s star players perform will be the decider in this series. One key match-up I am excited for is the Penguins defense against the score-happy Red Wings offense. If Pittsburgh is able to contain Zetterberg and Datsyuk, I think Pittsburgh will win their first cup since 1992. If the Red Wings do not keep Pittsburgh in games, like they let Dallas back into their Conference Finals series, or if they are able to contain the best team they have faced all year, the Wings will undoubtedly win their first Cup without Stevie Y. I think that, right now, no team is hotter than the Pittsburgh Penguins. With a 12-2 record (8-0 at home) in the playoffs, they are undoubtedly carrying more momentum of the two. I see Mario Lemieux lacing up the skates again, not in uniform, but in a suit, taking Lord Stanley’s Cup for a lap when it is all said and done, in the city that he saved from losing their hockey team.

IN 6

Aaron: Last round I picked the Penguins because I said they have the luxury of one too many offensive weapons for the Flyers; the Red Wings on the other hand, are a completely different story. This team is an offensive juggernaut, they haven’t slowed down one pace since their remarkable regular season. Zetteberg has played out of his mind and this team can score on every line on any given game night. Plus they’re getting goals from guys who aren’t household names in the slightest like Jiri Hudler. If you look at defense, I again take nothing away from Pittsburgh, they were fantastic against Philadelphia. But I’ll gladly take a back line with Nick Lidstrom any day of the week, best defenseman in hockey. Finally, when you look at goaltending, Osgood has it rolling right now. Fleury has been good and will be for years to come, but what happens when he lets a few goals in and faces 40-50 shots a night? He hasn’t seen that this entire playoffs. I like the Red Wings in all aspects of this series. IN 6

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