Penguins have not loss the first game of the playoffs this year in any of their series.
They only have two losses the whole playoffs.
They are 10-0 in the Playoffs when they score First.
They are the younger Team.
Detroit has the older players and it will show tonight.
Thanks Sporting News Info.
Penguins: The top line of Sidney Crosby centering right winger Marian Hossa and left winger Pascal Dupuis continues to produce points and pressure opponents. The Pens' real strengths, though, are their scoring depth and defensive skill. Second-line center Evgeni Malkin is dangerous and elusive, and his defensive ability is underrated. Third-line center Jordan Staal leads a group of players who have provided key goals. Staal's play in his own end remains a strength. The Penguins also aren't afraid to roll Maxime Talbot's fourth line in defensive situations.
Scoring from the defense corps has been steady, with Sergei Gonchar coming off six assists in the Eastern finals. The power play was on the mark with five goals in 18 man-advantage opportunities.
Red Wings: Top-line center Henrik Zetterberg and linemate Pavel Datsyuk made up for the loss of goal-scoring machine Johan Franzen (concussion) by evenly dividing eight goals in their six-game elimination of the Dallas Stars.
The Wings, like the Pens, have great scoring balance. Second-line left winger Jiri Hudler had two goals and four assists against the Stars while helping to pick up the slack created by Franzen's injury.
Chris Osgood was the Wings' No. 1 goaltender in the club's 1998 Cup run, and he continues his strong play in 2008. We might not see Dominik Hasek back in goal if Osgood continues to play well. Osgood's switch to the butterfly style is no longer a work in progress. He's comfortable with it. Osgood now avoids soft goals, and he is better able to get square to shooters and control rebounds.
Ice
Penguins: The team is pleased with Dupuis because of the way he is using his speed and ability to create scoring opportunities, and he is a veteran presence. But he must begin to build on his two goals and four assists in the playoffs. Sykora also has five goals in the playoffs. He provides intangibles: He has a Stanley Cup ring and brings a presence that keeps his young teammates level-headed. Now more than ever he must lead by example.
More points from defenseman Ryan Whitney would help. Coach Michel Therrien has Whitney more focused on defensive responsibilities to shut down opponents' scoring depth. Still, he could chip in more than the goal and five assists he has through three rounds.
Red Wings: Tomas Holmstrom has become a marked man. A consummate crease presence, Holmstrom is being watched by referees for goalie interference. He had no goals in the final three games against the Stars. He can't stop going to the net, because he's crucial to the offense.
Defenseman Brian Rafalski is stouter in his own end than his size would indicate, but his forte is getting the puck up the ice. Still, opponents are pressing the attack at Rafalski, which makes sense because they want to avoid attacking his defense partner, Nicklas Lidstrom. They form the Wings' top defense pairing, and a bit more scoring from them is expected.
Keys
Franzen's ability to return could figure largely in this series. With Franzen, the Wings have greater depth and size, especially in front of the net, with their forwards. They need his scoring touch.
Neither team is beaten easily on home ice. The Red Wings could strike a huge blow to the Penguins' confidence if they win on the road. Joe Louis Arena is a hostile place for visiting teams, and the Penguins are young and mostly untested in the pressure of the finals. To win the Cup, they must win at least once at the Joe.
Special teams are always critical in the finals, and both teams have strong ones. If either team blinks on the penalty kill, it will pay dearly. Some observers believe the Penguins were more sternly tested in their three playoff rounds than the Red Wings were. That could be an illusion, but it is true the Penguins needed to be challenged.
The Pick
Ultimately, this could come down to goaltending. Marc-Andre Fleury (.937) has a better save percentage than Chris Osgood (.927), but Osgood (1.60) has a better goals-against average than Fleury (1.70). This one could go the distance, and since the Penguins are healthier they get a slight nod. Penguins in seven.
Chuck Gormley covers the NHL for the South Jersey Courier-Post. He is a regular contributor to Sporting News. Associate editor Ray Slover contributed to this report.
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