2009 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS. DETROIT RED WINGS

wprager wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Everyone should know by now I'm calling a Penguins win this time around but due to the Pool I won't reveal the number of games just yet.

People talk about how much weaker the Pens are without Hossa but I think this team is stronger this time despite losing Hossa, Malone, Roberts, Laraque and Ruutu.

The big difference this season is getting rid of Therrien and promoting Bylsma. The turn around in their season was incredible once he took over. The Pens were under prepared and out coached last year. With Malkin and Crosby barely showing up on the score sheet in the finals they still made it 6 games.

This season they have a couple Veterans that know how to get the job done in Kunitz and Guerin. They're a more prepared and determined group, they're better coached than last season and Detroit has some wounded players. Lidstrom and Datsyuk may still play but they won't be 100%.

Pittsburgh is better this year and Detroit is still great but I still give the edge to the Pens.

Losing Laraque and Ruutu is definitely two big plusses. Against a team as disciplined as Detroit those two were, essentially, taking up valuable roster spots from more deserving players.

I don't agre about Roberts. Roberts brought veteran leadership and grit, with a scoring touch to boot. He played a hard game butm, surprisingly, took few penalties (yeah, we all know he got away with murder, but still). I'd say between Guerin and Roberts, it's a wash. Different players, bringing different elements, but on the scoresheet I don't know which one would get you more goals. Guerin probably plays more minutes, but that just takes ice time away from Crosby/Malkin. No clear winner in that one, IMO.

Losing Hossa hurts. I don't care how you slice it, he's as close to elite after Crosby and Malkin as you could get on this team. Kunitz does not replace either his points or his minutes. Kunitz also does not split Lidstrom/Kronwall's ice time from defending Crosby/Malkin like Hossa would have.

On the coaching side, yes, Therrien was likely outcoached by Babcock, but who wouldn't be? As far as playoffs -- and, especially, the Finals -- are concerned, Bylsma is still wet behind the ears.

I give Pittsburgh a slight edge on the top two lines. Detroit has better 3rd and 4th lines.

On defense it's not close, assuming Lidstrom is close to 100% (he was day-to-day in the games he sat out, so with all that rest he's ready to go). Lidstrom, Kronwall, Rafalski, Stuart. Pittsburgh did not have to face Chara, so we don't know how Crosby and, especially, Malkin, will do against Kronwall.

I gave Pittsburgh and edge in goaltending early on, and Fleury has not done anything to diminish my assessment of his play. On the other hand, Osgoode has been money when it counted. Slight edge in talent, perhaps, to Pittsburgh, but Osgoode has experience on his side.

Overall, experience (players and coach) and defense should make this a repeat performance for the Wings.

Intangibles:
The Penguins want to prove to Hossa that he did not choose wisely. On the flip side, Hossa wants to prove just the opposite. Also, he's got his own post-season performances of the past to become, well, the past. And he's in a contract year to boot.

Fleury wants to make a case for himself for Vancouver. Both Luongo and Brodeur have taken a step back this post-season. Fleury went head to head with Ward and won. Adding a Cup Ring to his collection would go a lon way to impressing Yzerman.

As for predictions, you'll have to check my picks in the bracket pool thread once they are in.

caissie_1 wrote:
You smart man... I was hoping you would mess up and post your pick. Im going crazy trying to read your mind.