So the Cup is finally here: the ultimate competition for the ultimate trophy, and its finally back on prime time network television. A rematch between two great teams featuring a lion's share of the league's elite talent. For the most part experts and fans are split on the outcome of the series ... the wings put the Pens away in 6 last year and were generally able to control Crosby and Malkin. In addition Marian Hossa, Pittsburg's second leading scorer in last year's playoffs with 26 points, flip flopped his way onto the wings this year ... tilting the scales a bit more to Detroit. Certainly the Pens are more seasoned and theoretically more hungry this year, but the bigger factor here is injuries. The Pens are coming into the cup rested and as healthy as a team could be at this point, whereas the wings are banged up something awful. To win the cup you have to be good and you have to be lucky, and the wings have not been lucky with injures: right now Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Ericcson, Draper, and Liljia are showing battle wear and tear. I suppose Detroit has shown some resilience these playoffs, overcoming injuries in a grueling series with Anaheim and a multiple overtime series with Chicago. But their moxie aside, if the Wings are healthy (healthy enough) today or get healthy early enough in the series they will have the edge. At full strength, offense is a wash between the teams: the Pens have better top scorers and the Wings have better depth. The major advantage for the Wings comes on the blue line and that will be enough to edge out the Pens again in what will be an even better series than last year.
Lidstrom and Ericcson will play today and Datsyuk is questionable. If necessary I will go to the Joe and massage some groins ... LETS GO RED WINGS!
"Both teams played hard...good night and god bless."
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