The NHL offices must be thanking the hockey gods for setting up such an unbelievable finals. The NHL has seen itself fall from the mainstream and struggle to even make a highlight on Sports Center. Once a prominent fixture in the sports world, the NHL lost its relevance outside the hockey loyalist. Its been a struggle to gain fans back from the lockout just a couple of years ago. This just might be the finals that rescues the NHL from being that “other league”.

Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings are the two best teams in the league and the most exciting to watch. There will not be an underdog nameless team that got to the finals because of a hot goaltender and lucky bounces. This finals will feature a titanic match up between some of the most skilled players in the world. Game One of the Stanley Cup finals will be the first time these two teams have played each other this season. This series has all the making as an instant classic and a cant miss present. The last time these two powerhouses faced off against each other was way back in October of 2006. Detroit won that game 2-0. I highly doubt only two goals per game will be scored in this series. Especially with all of the offensive firepower each team displays.

Why I Like Pittsburgh

The Penguins are loaded with young players who are already stars in the league. Sidney Crosby, with all do respect to Alexander Ovechkin, is the best player in the league at the ripe age of 20. With all of the comparisons to Wayne Gretzky as being the “Next One”, this is Crosby’s ultimate stage to shine. Currently he is tied for the playoff lead with 21 points and if the Pens win, Crosby just may be the Conn Smyth winner.

We all know about Crosby and Evgeni Malkin being bonafide young superstars and Marian Hossa boosting superstar credentials but almost lost amongst the stardom is Pittsburgh’s third line center Jorda Staal. Only 19 years old, Staal has played a vital role in the Penguins offence. Four goals in the Philadelphia series, plays important minutes on the PK, and is a major factor of why the Pens have only lost two games en route to the Cup finals. With Detroit being know for being a very deep team, Staal playing on the third line, will negate that Detroit advantage offensively.

Why I Like Detroit

Perhaps the biggest edge that the Wings hold over the Pens is in their group of defensemen. Nicklas Lindstrom is the best in the game and may be the smartest player in all of sports. Fellow Swede Nicklas Kronwall is one of the best hitters in hockey. Chris Chelios and Bryan Rafalski each are former all stars and Cup winners. Any one of those d-men would be number ones on any other team. All four are minute eaters and able to play both on the powerplay and penalty kill.

As talented as the Penguins are on offense, Detroit can match up to them better than any other team. The main contributors on offense for the Wings are all-stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. These two are dangerous every time they touch the puck. However, as good as these two are, neither lead the Wings in post season goals. That accomplishment belongs to Johan Franzen who has recorded 12 goals thus far in the playoffs. With a balanced attacked and the resurgence of the Wings’ “Grind Line”, this could be a more complete team than any of their other past Cup winning teams. Forgive me Steve Yzerman for saying that.

Prediction- Picking the winner of this series is like picking your favorite Olsen twin back in the Uncle Jesse days. Both are talented but you know one will eventually wind up a loser. I love the exceptional talent that these two teams have up front. Detroit has the advantage of a better defensive corps and experience to boot. Marc Andre Fluery is a better option than Chris Osgood but Osgood has been there before and has won. The influx of many offensive weapons and young legs will prove to be a difference for the Pens but the depth of the Wings defensively and offensively will be the ultimate difference in the series. I know the sexy pick is to take the Penguins and all their young super stars but you have to lose before you win. The Wings have paid their dues and the Pens have yet to reach their full mark. Detroit in 7.

Former Bruins

Brad Stuart, Detroit Red Wings
Hal Gill, Pittsburgh Penguins
Sergei Gonchar, Pittsburgh Penguins

Future Bruins???

Marian Hossa, Pittsburgh Penguins- This soon to be free agent is the prize of the free agent and speculation around the league is that the Bruins are going hard after him once free agency hits.

Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh Penguins- Malone is another Penguins free agent once the season ends and he is the type of player that Bruins fans love. If the Bruins lose out in the Hossa sweepstakes they may just pursue Malone. This will be a hard target to get because he is a native of Pittsburgh and will most likely sign back with them.

Local Ties

More reasons to root for the Pens. Pittsburgh has five former Hockey East players on their roster. Hall Gill of Providence. Ryan Whitney of Boston University. Ty Conklin of UNH. Rob Scuderi and  Brooks Orpik of Boston College. Whitney is also a Boston native, him and Hal Gill are the lone New England natives playing for the Cup.