Detroit is just better.

[Blaayze 25]

Please, show me a defensive line-up, that equals ours. Then show me how well you did against them.

Sens were a joke. Rangers are all offense, and philly.. hell i think Nashville could beat philly, and look what happend to them. Sure, your forwards are good, but how do they fair against our defensive wall, I'll bet not very well.

DRW Dominace is right. Beasts are in the west.

The pens are in for a whole new type of hockey. Wings hockey.

[Feldmarschall 9]

Crosby and his linemates Hossa and Sydor

[Echolalia 2,961]

Yeah i had a brain fart there definitely, but i fixed it. I'm still not sure about that and the Malkin line though, so clarification would be nice

[Stinkyness 10]

Put Zett, Dats, and the Demolition man against the Crosby line. lets see how the boy wonder handles that.

This is the one point that stands out to me, sure, the kid can score, but can he hit? can he shut down the dynamic duo?

Crosby will be -12 this series if hes matched against the top line.

[Rice 42]

Thanks for posting this...good read but put in some indents and paragraph breaks. It's hard to read.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Theres little argument that the two representatives from their respective conferences are among the best in the league. Heck, there's little argument that they are THE best in the league, but for the youthful Pittsburgh Penguins and the veteran Detroit Red Wings, two teams that have yet to play each other this season, who is the best of the best?

Not only has each team made it to the finals, but they did it in convincing fashion. Pittsburgh only surrendered two wins to their Eastern Conference opponents, whereas the Wings gave up only four. Each team boasts some of the most offensively talented players to play the game, and come Saturday, both teams will be giving it their absolute all.

Crosby and his linemates Hossa and Dupuis will most likely be matched up against the Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom line. This matchup has hands down the most destructive offense the league has had for a while (and in a salary cap world, too!), and although these six players are most known for their ability to put the 'biscuit in the basket', what the series will ultimately come down to is defensive play. Both teams recognize the others evident ability to score as well as the fact that they will go nowhere if they can't defend against that. Although the Penguins first line has been responsible defensively, they have yet to verse a team that posed a significant offensive threat. Ottawa crashed and burned under injuries and weak goaltending. Analysts are still trying to figure out how the Rangers even got into the playoffs, and Philadelphia, although capable of scoring, quickly became too intimidated by the Crosby line to sustain any offensive pressure, and focused more on defensive play. The Red Wings also have one more thing going for them; the tiny fact that two of the three members of the first line are Selke candidates for most defensive forwards. For that fact alone, Pittsburgh will have to rely now more than ever on secondary scoring, something (to the Red Wings dread) they are more than capable of.

Malkin paired with Sykora and Malone are the most elite second line in the nhl. I won't deny it, because quite frankly theres no argument against it. Two of the three players on this line are more than capable of being top line players for half the other teams out there (including some that made the playoffs). It is this line that the Red Wings really need to worry about. Malkin is currently tied for second in postseason scoring with Detroit's own Datsyuk, and he's been doing this without the likes of Crosby through long periods of playoff hockey. If the Wings plan to give themselves a chance at victory, Babcock may very well consider mixing lines to pair Malkin up against the likes of Maltby, Drake, or Draper, one of three Red Wing veterans known for there gritty defensive shut-down playoff style. Otherwise it may be a fast series in Pittsburgh's favor.

But as previously stated, what this series will come down to is not offense, but defense, and that is something Detroit thrives on. The Red Wings defensive line up consists of Norris Trophy winner to-be Nick Lidstrom, his partner in crime Brian Rafalski, tough guys Kronwall and Stuart, and to "borrow" from an old line's name, "An old goat with a kid" in Chelios and either Lebda or Lilja. And assuming you can get past this all star lineup, you have Osgood waiting calmly in net, who leads the league in the post season (as well as the regular season) with goals against, and is competing for best save %. All of a sudden that net looks like its hidden behind a brick wall, and that is why teams like the Predators, Colorado, and the Stars not only lost, but were annihilated by the Wings in previous series.

But on the subject of goaltenders, the situation that this next round will have is an interesting one to say the least. In my opinion, neither goalie has really been in a position where they were required to stand on their head to keep their team alive. Sure they each have their list of spectacular saves, but the level that they have been challenged has been limited significantly by the stellar defense in front of them, or the ineptness of the other team's offense (both things that each team has no doubt experienced). Now that Osgood and Fleury are pitted against an explosive offensive team, not to mention the pressure of the finals, it will be interesting to see how they can respond. For Pittsburgh, Mark-Andre Fleury is definitely the X-factor. He has let the Pens know that they can rely on him in the past, but he is still a young goalie, and this is his first time in the finals, which is something that paralyzed Ottawa goaltender Ray Emery only a year ago. On top of that, he has been thrown into the den with a bunch of lions that have been in this situation on numerous occasions before.

As for the Wings, forward Johan Franzen is no doubt the X-factor. He came out of nowhere to dethrone all of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Crosby, and Malkin to claim scoring and goal titles for himself before falling to headache complications. In fact, after a five game rest, he is still sole owner of playoff goal scoring leader. If he can come back and play to the degree that he has proven he can play at, the Penguins' second line won't be the one with all the attention.

To sum it up, we have two great teams here, almost identical on paper, but its going to be the things that aren't kept track of statistically that wins the cup. Things like defensive play, good coaching, experience, and line matching. And unfortunately for the Penguins, the Wings are dominant in all.

Wings in 5.

what he said

[Nev 1,085]

Theres little argument that the two representatives from their respective conferences ....snip.......Wings in 5.

Great post. You forgot to mention face-offs - Detroit are dominant, Pens and especially Malkin, are brutal.

That 1B line terrifies me, but every time they are on the ice for a face-off I want Draper out there against him, lets see how much of the puck he gets then!

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Unless Franzen comes back in full form (please oh please come back to us Franzen and don't lose that scoring touch!) I'm pretty worried about our secondary scoring.

One bright point is that Cleary is rounding back into form since being horribly injured for such a long time. Hopefully Filppula gets back to his goal-scoring self and Hudler plays as well as he did against Nashville and Dallas.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Double post

Edited May 21, 2008 by Drake_Marcus

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Title waits for the Wings

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to win a Stanley Cup. You can bet your bottom dollar on it. It’s a lock, a sure thing, guaranteed.

But it just isn’t going to happen this year. Not against this group of Detroit Red Wings. So with all due respect to the Penguins, and the late, great Herb Brooks, this is not your time.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=A...o&type=lgns

[imisssergei 0]

I find it amazing how little respect the Pens are getting.

Scoring: Advantage Pens

Without a doubt the Pens top 2 lines trump that of the Wings, and the 3rd and 4th of Detroit trumps that of the Pens. However, with Franzen this is much harder to call, possibly a draw.

Defense: Advantage Detroit

Defense is easily Detroit's biggest advantage, with both Lidstrom and Rafalski being better than anyone on the Pens d roster.

Goaltending: Advantage Pens

Goaltending I give an edge to the Pens, Fluery is just playing betting than Ozzie right now.

PP: Advantage Detroit

The stats give the edge to the Pens. However, the Pens have taken 9 more PIMs in 2 fewer games, Detroit will get plenty of chances. Factor in Detroit's strong PK units, and the Pens could be looking at a long PP scoring drought.

PK: Advantage Detroit

Statistically it's a draw, both teams at a stifling 87.3%, but Detroit has more players who can play an effective PK role than the Pens.

Without Franzen in the lineup, Detroit becomes a one line team. With Franzen in the lineup, you are now forced to defend against two scoring lines, something that the Pens really don't have the defensive personnel to do.

Crosby isn't given enough credit for his defensive game, he isn't in the same class as Pav or Hank, but he is no slouch either.

Both teams play a puck control style, so faceoffs will be even more key than ever. With the way Detroit dominates the faceoff circle, the Pens could find themselves doing a lot more chasing than they are used to.

[Uncle Danny 155]

That 1B line terrifies me, but every time they are on the ice for a face-off I want Draper out there against him, lets see how much of the puck he gets then!

Not to rain on a parade or anything, but isn't Drapes a -5 these playoffs? Sure, he'd school him in the faceoff circle, but unless he also becomes a quick-line-change-specialist, this matchup is not one I adore.

What I do adore, however, is the prospect of Kronwall bringing some open ice love to Malkin's dance-up-the-gut stylings.

[NHLrules? 32]

I love how our PP % seems to come up.

In games one and three most of our PP time came in garbage time. Especially game one.

[Nev 1,085]

Not to rain on a parade or anything, but isn't Drapes a -5 these playoffs?

-3 according to ESPN, in 16 games. So that's -1 per round. If he matches up against the Malkin line and goes -1 through the series, I like our chances a lot

[Outsider 42]

Please, show me a defensive line-up, that equals ours. Then show me how well you did against them.

Sens were a joke. Rangers are all offense, and philly.. hell i think Nashville could beat philly, and look what happend to them. Sure, your forwards are good, but how do they fair against our defensive wall, I'll bet not very well.

DRW Dominace is right. Beasts are in the west.

The pens are in for a whole new type of hockey. Wings hockey.

Haven't read through the entire thread, yet, but a few points.....

Sens were without Alfie, Spezza was playing through major injuries, and Gerber was just, well.....let's just say that he wasn't very good.

Rangers were the fourth lowest scoring Team in the East, and the sixth lowest scoring Team in the entire League.

Philly was without Kimmo Timonen, and weren't that good to begin with.

Go, Wings, GO!!!!

[Reds4Life 51]

Haven't read through the entire thread, yet, but a few points.....

Sens were without Alfie, Spezza was playing through major injuries, and Gerber was just, well.....let's just say that he wasn't very good.

Rangers were the fourth lowest scoring Team in the East, and the sixth lowest scoring Team in the entire League.

Philly was without Kimmo Timonen, and weren't that good to begin with.

Go, Wings, GO!!!!

He was very good. Actually he was the very reason some games were close.

Rangers choked, that's true. Philly lost top dman, but we played against decimated Avs too

[j.hoop 64]

Actually..thats bad for you...you need to play 3 games there....

My only point is that for each Red Wing..I can match a Penguin that is close to as good..if not better

This series will be epic

fail

[Outsider 42]

He was very good. Actually he was the very reason some games were close.

Rangers choked, that's true. Philly lost top dman, but we played against decimated Avs too

You can say that Gerber was good if you'd like. I'll respectfully disagree.

He showed a knack for stopping plenty of shots, even making some "great" saves, and then letting in that back-breaking crap goal, time after time.

Most of the goals that went in on him were just ugly.

Edited May 21, 2008 by Outsider

[8 Legged RedWing 367]

Isn't all of this talk about stats and whose better on paper completely pointless. I mean I guess if everyone enjoys pointless arguments. Every pens fan is going to have stats and arguments to why the pens are better and every wings fan will have stats and arguments to why the wings are better. all I can say is I cant wait til Saturday

GO WINGS!!!

[ThreeRiversFan 0]

Isn't all of this talk about stats and whose better on paper completely pointless. I mean I guess if everyone enjoys pointless arguments. Every pens fan is going to have stats and arguments to why the pens are better and every wings fan will have stats and arguments to why the wings are better. all I can say is I cant wait til Saturday

GO WINGS!!!

Bingo

[betterREDthandead 58]

Isn't all of this talk about stats and whose better on paper completely pointless. I mean I guess if everyone enjoys pointless arguments. Every pens fan is going to have stats and arguments to why the pens are better and every wings fan will have stats and arguments to why the wings are better. all I can say is I cant wait til Saturday

GO WINGS!!!

Sure, it's pointless, but it's fun. I say let the arguments rage. I like that Pens fans want to come and argue this stuff, otherwise it's just a circle jerk. The thing is not to let our feelings get hurt when they don't bow to our superiority, and for Pens fans to realize that most of us are intelligent, passionate hockey fans, but this is a Wings board, and we're likely to be pretty confident about our team.

[jvxp 0]

That's bad for you. Every streak must end at some point. Unfortunately for you it will end in the finals

And I agree with OP, we have better team

Go Wings, go!

I agree.

[Inultus 12]

I'm just looking through the Penguins lineup, and when you get past Malkin, Crosby, Hossa and Gonchar, who really "scares" you with their offense?

Staal

[Opie 308]

I think everyone here is discounting guys like Malone and Staal.

All the talk is the big three in Pit, Ryan Malone (IMO) should be the top rated/sought after UFA other than Hossa.

The defense is where the wings have the definitive advantage.IMO

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

LOL...touche'

But Dallas proved you can lose at home...so...we'll see...

Detroit closed out all 3 of there opponents this playoffs away from home. Detroit doesnt need to win in Pittsburgh but I see them having a better chance to win away from home than Pittsburgh does.