Preview: Red Wings vs Penguins 2009

Records

Detroit (2): 51-21-10 (112 pts) Home: 27-9-5 Away: 24-12-5
Pittsburgh (4): 45-28-9 (99 pts) Home: 25-13-3 Away: 20-15-6

How They Got Here

Detroit beat Columbus (4 games), Anaheim (7 games) and Chicago (5 games).
Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia (6 games), Washington (7 games) and Carolina (4 games).

Head-to-Head

Nov 11, 2008 – DET 6 PIT 7 (OT)
Feb 8, 2009 – DET 3 PIT 0
Season series was tied 1-1

Fights

None

Lineup

Goaltending: DRAW
Scoring: DRAW
Defense: EDGE Detroit
Coaching: EDGE Detroit
Grit: EDGE Pittsburgh

Schedule

Saturday, May 30 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
Sunday, May 31 at Detroit, TBD-Evening NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, June 2 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, June 4 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Saturday, June 6 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
* Tuesday, June 9 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
* Friday, June 12 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS

Prediction

25 years ago, one dynasty ended, while another one began. Wayne Gretzky and the young Edmonton Oilers put an end to the New York Islanders streak of four straight Cup wins… it was the last time there was a Stanley Cup rematch until this year. The Red Wings have won 4 of the last 11 Stanley Cups including last year’s against the Penguins. Pittsburgh’s core is the same as last year, a little older, a little more mature this time around. Detroit looks the same as well, their younger guys improving with another year of experience under their belt. There’s two major difference that I feel will decide the series. First, Detroit is battling some injuries to their best players. Nicklas Lidstrom looks as if he’ll be ready for game 1, but we don’t know how healthy he’ll really be. Datsyuk is a huge question mark right now along with Jonathan Ericsson, which really hurts the back end. Secondly, it looks as if Evgeni Malkin can be counted on to produce at his usual level. In last year’s Conference Finals, Mike Richards broke him and he only potted 5 points in 10 games after that. Geno will be on fire this series and the Pens win at home in 6 games.

David’s Pick

It does seem trendy to compare the Pens to the Oilers of the 80s, but the Red Wings current stars are younger than they appear, and very different from the Cup before last. Both teams can score, that’s a given. This will come down to the goaltending matchup and injuries. The Penguins appear to be much more intact. Chris Osgood‘s playoff numbers are clearly better than MA Fleury’s, and it might just be as simple as that in the end. My head’s telling me the Wings have this one, but it’s pretty hard to not want Marian Hossa to get
his just deserts watching the team he fled hoist the Cup. Pens in 6.