Stanley Cup Preview

I will take the great Dave Ling up on his challenge to post a Stanley Cup preview...but I can't guarantee he's going to like it.

Dave threw around the term "dynasty" and he's right. There is a dynasty upon us...but it's not who he thinks. As much as I hate to say it...Detroit has been the team to beat for some time now. Let's look at the facts, shall we:

They say that teams need experience to win the Stanley Cup. It was 1992 the last time the Penguins were in the Stanley Cup finals. Detroit has won three cups in the last 10 years.

They say that great Defence wins championships. Detroit has arguably the greatest defenseman of our generation. Pittsburgh has Gonchar.

I've heard that coaching wins hockey games. Mike Babcock has a winning percentage that hovers around 71%. Michel Terrien is just over 52%.

Good teams win on the road. Detroits record this year away from the Joe was an ungodly 25-12-4. Pittsburgh was a respectable 21-17-3.

You see where I'm going with this. But on with the analysis...

Head-to-Head Matchups:

Sidney Crosby vs. Pavel Datsyuk

Sid is the best player still playing hockey (or arguably second best on his team). He has lost his scoring touch somewhat, be he's incredibly productive and has been a force. That being said, he has only played 19 career playoff games. Datsyuk has been here before and knows what it takes to win.

Edge: Sid the Kid.

Evgeni Malkin vs. Henrik Zetterberg

Malkin is a beast. It's similar to watching Lemieux play. He's tough to knock off the puck and he certainly has the creative skills to score from anywhere on the ice. He's dangerous with a decent amount of grit. That being said, Zetterberg is no slouch. He has mad skills as well and has way more playoff experience.

Edge: Evgeni Malkin

Marion Hossa vs. Tomas Holmstrom

Here's where it gets interesting. Skill versus skill, Tomas doesn't stand a chance. I'd kill to have an ounce of Holstrom's ability, but Hossa is far superior on the score sheet. What Hossa lacks is that killer instinct. He has all the ability, but not seems unwilling to grind it out when it counts. Sure he can post sega-like numbers when it's easy with Ilya Koval(hat)trick but he hasn't been tough enough to stand on his own. Holmstrom would go through a brick wall if it meant a win for his team. He's the type of player you NEED to win important games.

Edge: Tomas Holmstrom (I almost gave this a draw, it's that close)

Sergei Gonchar vs. Nicklas Lidstrom

This isn't even close. Saint Nick is the best I've seen since the 80's. He's only the leading +/- player each year (and it's not just because he plays with the likes of Zetterberg and Datsyuk). He is the top player at his position hands down. Gonchar is, at best, a stud Power Play quarterback (and he's not even that on this Pens team).

Edge: Nicklas Lidstrom

Ryan Whitney vs. Brian Rafalski

You want to talk about experience? Rafalski will now have played in four Stanley Cup Finals and has at least two rings to show for it. The steady, no flash, defenseman was a huge addition to the already powerful Red Wings. Ryan Whitney has flashes of brilliance, but at such a young age he can't be expected to bring his A game every night. Experience wins out, especially in the Finals.

Edge: Brian Rafalski

Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Chris Osgood

Fleury is going to be a great goalie. He lived with the greatest player to ever play the game...that HAD to of rubbed off somehow. Chris Osgood has been there and won that. He also has two Cup rings and is looking for more. He has a full season of playoff experience (82 games!) compared to the young MAF's 19 games (14 this year). In a couple years this would be a different story, but for 2008, this is battle goes to the wiley veteran.

Edge: Chris Osgood

FINAL PREDICTION: Red Wings in 6 games.

Now let's get back to that "Dynasty" idea. I've already mentioned the 3 Cup wins in 10 years. What about the fact that Detroit has been the top team in the regular season in 5 of the past 6 years. They have been the odds on favourite to win the Cup almost every single year since Tonya Harding was known for her skating ability.

Pittsburgh is a very good team. They are good enough to win it all. They just aren't experienced enough to win it all. Do I like them for a Stanley Cup win or two over the next 5 years?

Absolutely. But they need to lose it to know how to win it.

I hope I'm wrong. I hope Sid and the gang come out firing and pick up the 4 W's they need to hoist the Holy Grail of sports trophies. I just don't think it's going to happen.

Thanks for reading.

Yours in Maple Leaf blue,

Liam.