Stanley Cup Predictions

by javaball on May 27, 2009 7:52 PM PDT Comment 15 comments

The Stanley Cup Finals are set, with the Pens' sweep of the Canes and the Wings' 4-1 series win over the Hawks. It will be a rematch of last year Finals. Will the result be different this time?

The Red Wings have been playing like champions in the playoffs. The have depth in their lineup, skill, speed and determination (Not convinced? Check out the following "Play of the Game" video). The Penguins are a team that's exciting to watch, with superstars Malkin and Crosby both playing at top level, and the others also contributing.

Judging by their 2008-2009 playoffs stats, the two teams seem pretty much equal in most categories. One thing I noticed is the difference in "+/-", where Wings are 104 and Penguins 56. More than one-third of the Penguins, in contrast to only one Wings, players are minus. It shows the enormous team strength of the Red Wings. Everyone of their players is helping the team in their own way. If nothing else, I would pick the Wings for that reason alone.

With that said, however, anything is possible in the playoffs. The Penguins may have caught the Wings at the right time. A few Wings key players, namely Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Draper, are injured, and Ericsson just had an appendectomy. The back-to-back Games 1 and 2 (scheduled for May 30 and May 31) may play in the Penguins favor. If Lidstrom can't recover in time to play, the Wings might have a hard time shutting down Crosby and Malkin. But then again, the Wings beat the Hawks in the series clincher without the aforementioned players.

While the outcome may not be predictable, one thing is certain. It will be a great series to watch.

Team Stats

Pts

+/-

PIM

PPG

PPA

SHG

SHA

SOG

Pct

RedWings

101

160

104

177

632

.093

Penguins

107

172

184

594

.109

Poll

Which team will win the Stanley Cup?

Red Wings in 7

4 votes

Red Wings in 6

8 votes

Red Wings in 5

2 votes

Red Wings in 4

1 votes

Penguins in 7

2 votes

Penguins in 6

5 votes

Penguins in 5

0 votes

Penguins in 4

0 votes

22 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 15 comments |

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Comments

I think I almost give up predicting. Been so wrong in these playoffs. Can the Wings thoroughly shut down Crosby and Malkin. Probably. But watch how many calls go against Detroit in this series. It happened last year.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 28, 2009 1:38 AM PDT reply actions

“Detroit doesn’t just through the puck away during the kill”

I hope AV was listening…

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on May 28, 2009 3:03 AM PDT reply actions

*throw

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on May 28, 2009 3:03 AM PDT up reply actions

One to go

Going with Detroit on this one. They’re bashed up a bit, and with the early start may not have the time to get completely healthy, but I think the players not skating was precautionary rather than necessary.

Both teams spread out their scoring (Fedotenko has six? Huh!) and have buckets of grit, but I think the edge goes to Detroit for how their defence handles net-crashers. Don’t get me wrong: I love Boucher’s play, and Gill’s a giant. But I don’t think they’ll be able to keep pace with eight Wings running Fleury every game…

Go figure Hossa’s going to be a target for Pittsburgh, and he could draw half a dozen penalties from that fact if he plays it smart. And Detroit’s power play kills.

Now, having made that prediction publicly, I guess we’ll see Crosby get his first cup in five games, right? 8)

by Thursday on May 28, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions

I voted Wings in 7

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 28, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions

Not because you like the Wings, but because you really hate Lemieux, I take it.? :)

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on May 28, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

No I think the Wings will take it regardless.
And I still hate that douche Lemieux. Fukkim

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 28, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Red Wings in 6.

by cyxj on May 28, 2009 1:33 PM PDT reply actions

BTW, that is one of the best 1-man penalty kills that I’ve ever seen. Nice work by Helm. Shitty work by the Hawks

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on May 28, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions

Wings in 7

The wings pass from tape to tape. This makes their PK and PP both outrageously hard to play against. They also play to win, instead of getting caught up in playing to “not lose”. The wings never forget where the opponents goal is. They also have that magical rubber board behind each goalie…

The pens have Olympic caliber divers…

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on May 30, 2009 6:41 AM PDT reply actions

Detroit’ PK% was actually the worst in the NHL in the regular season, and hasn’t improved much in the playoffs, giving up a power-play goal in a franchise-record 11 straight playoff games. Fortunately for them perhaps, Pittsburgh’s PP% hasn’t been that good either, but they need to stay disciplined and not give Pittsburgh the opportunities.

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on May 30, 2009 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions