We're only a few hours away from Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
The Red Wings will be without Pavel Datsyuk (foot) and Kris Draper (groin) tonight. With Game 2 coming up right away on Sunday, you've got to figure that both probably won't play in that one either. In fact, though Datsyuk skated this morning, he was headed to the doctor this afternoon, which makes you wonder when he'll be back.
The longer Datsyuk is out, the better chance the Penguins have to avenge last year's Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Red Wings.
I picked the Penguins is six games in Friday's edition of The Record and am sticking with that. It took them a couple of games to adjust in last year's Finals (they didn't score a goal in the first two games) and I think that experience will help them this year. Plus, I think the Penguins have a better team than a year ago with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin being a year older and the additions that were made before the trade deadline (Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz, Craig Adams). Crosby looks like a man on a mission.
The Red Wings have a lot of depth, but Datsyuk's injury still weakens them.
What do you guys think?
I'm with you, TG, I also predicted Pengins in 6 when the finalists were determined.
Posted by: Scratch | May 30, 2009 at 04:19 PM
Same deal as last year. I'm personally ambivalent because I can't stand Cryin' Crosby and I don't want Marian "Benedict Arnold" Hossa to be rewarded with a Stanley Cup after he bailed out on the Penguins. Hopefully, it's at least entertaining...unlike the last round.
Posted by: hoekster316 | May 30, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Do you guys think the Devils are keeping Clemmenson?
I think fellow Devil fans havent given him enough props for what he did this season. He pulled off something that was just sort of a miracle.
Posted by: Karate Kid | May 30, 2009 at 04:40 PM
I guess I would rather see Malkin and some of the other guys that I like on the Pens win the Cup. I don't think Hossa bailed at all. He wanted to sign a 1 year deal, get max money, go to a solid team, see how that team feels and hopefully win and/or re-sign with that team. Now, if he wins and signs with the Wings, fine, he might have to take less cash, but hey, strangers things have happened. If Hossa goes and signs like an 8 year deal with the Leafs or some other crap Can. Club, we will know he's just a greedy mofo, that got his ring and is only after the dollars.
Posted by: Zorin | May 30, 2009 at 04:41 PM
I think I'm gonna take Wings in 6.
Posted by: ej3oa9 | May 30, 2009 at 05:12 PM
i just want some great hockey in the finals! the pens are much more mature than last year and are showing it real good since disposing of the canes so quickly. than again the redwings were just toying with the hawks in their game 5 it seemed like. i would say that i like the redwings in 5. after their game 5 against the hawks i decided i have not seen a team roll all four lines like they were all the first line in quite some time. a complete powerhouse. sorry pens but you dont have osgood and that guy does not flinch in the playoffs.
Posted by: brian s | May 30, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Penguins in 5.
Posted by: Maximius | May 30, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Karate Kid...did you get slapped in the face too many times by Mr. Miyagi? Devil fans on here, at the Rock and in my circles have given Clemmer mad props for keeping this team in contention throughout the year. I remember NJD fans were looking for a goalie the night MB hurt himself. Clemmer was great and if the Devils can sign him and he's cool with playing 20+ games, more power to him. Regardless of who the Devs back up in...MB better get it through his head though that 75+ starts isn't going to happen.
If they don't give that option to Clemmer, I'm sure he bounces to a team that is looking for a full-time starter. He'll be 32 on July 23, still very young and he's shown that when he plays, he can play very well and win in big spots.
Posted by: Zorin | May 30, 2009 at 05:26 PM
Datsyuk hurts them but they're like the Devils of old, take a piece out and plug another one in. He's had a pretty unspectacular playoffs anyways and their role players have proven that they can step up and produce.
Wings in 7, the Pens learned from last year but Detroit is just THAT good.
Posted by: John S | May 30, 2009 at 05:30 PM
I think it's hard to win the cup on the road. I know the wings did it last year, but I don't think that had happened since the Devils in 2000. Home ice is crucial, in my opinion. Wings in 7
Posted by: Matt R | May 30, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Wings.
Posted by: Mikedeadworks | May 30, 2009 at 05:32 PM
@Brian
Osgood is too good in the playoffs. Last year in 19 games, 30 goals against, GAA: 1.55, save%: 930, 3 Shutouts. This year, he's just as solid, GAA: 2.30, save$: .925, 1 shutout and 2 PIM (what a rebel).
The best part is, this year and next, he makes under $1.5M per year on a team that jacked with talent.
Posted by: Zorin | May 30, 2009 at 05:34 PM
He wins a 4 cup, he should be known as 'Os-God' (unless that has already been established)
Posted by: Zorin | May 30, 2009 at 05:37 PM
I was taking Pens in 6 but with Datsyuk out it could be five.
Posted by: DevsfaninPGH | May 30, 2009 at 05:55 PM
Penguins in 7, they learned how to lose it last year, I think it is their time to win it.
Red wings look pretty banged up as well, I just don't know how a team as banged up as they have been this playoffs ( rafalski lower body, Lidstrom, Datsyuk ) can handle the offense and goaltending the Penguins have been able to have
Posted by: Jim B | May 30, 2009 at 06:02 PM
I hope neither of them win
Posted by: embo slice | May 30, 2009 at 06:02 PM
I hate to say it.
Wings in 7
(I have a good friend in Detroit, if they win I WILL NEVER hear the end of it)
Posted by: Mark P | May 30, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Devils in 5 (I wish).
Posted by: Robbie | May 30, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Wings, and it might even be a short one; way too much depth. I do like embo's pick though.
Posted by: Gilly | May 30, 2009 at 07:07 PM
I can't stand the Wings, there the only team in the west that I would seriously root against. I hope then Pens win it. They should of won last year but they decided to not show up in games 1 and 2.
Posted by: Drew | May 30, 2009 at 07:07 PM
I think the Red Wings are too beat up, and this is the Pens' year.
Penguins in 6
Posted by: pando20rules | May 30, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Well for Pearl Jam's money, i said in an earlier post Penguins in 6,
now with Dats and Draps out for probably the first 2 games that eliminates arguably the Wings 2 best checking options against Crosby and Malkin, add to that the fact that Lidstrom is banged up, and i think its a recipe for disaster for the wings. Who is going to keep Crosby and Malkin from having their way? I know the wings have Depth but your talking about two of the three most explosive players in the NHL right now. I think if Datsyuk and Draper miss more than 2 games this thing will be over in 5.
So mark me down for Penguins in either 5 or 6
Posted by: Pearl Jammed | May 30, 2009 at 07:19 PM
I agree pens in 6 or 7
Posted by: SaccAttack | May 30, 2009 at 08:18 PM
Pens in 6. Crosby looks like he really wants it.
Posted by: martysbetter86 | May 30, 2009 at 08:55 PM
Red Wings are too powerful for Pittsburgh, though Pittsburgh looks like they learned some from last year.
Red Wings in 7 games.
I agree with Zorin that the Devils need to make Scott Clemmensen, along with Oduya and, possibly, Gionta, priorities as well as Zajac and Greene to be re-signed.
IF the Devils are unable to sign Clemmensen, then Weekes comes back. Most of the other unrestricted free agents, with the possible exception of Brendan Shanahan, are likely not worth signing. Also, the Devils will need cap room next year to re-sign Paul Martin.
The offseason should be interesting.
Posted by: Noam N. Kogen | May 30, 2009 at 09:10 PM