A Possible Rematch?

It seems as if the hockey gods want a Stanley Cup Finals rematch of last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Detroit Redwings. Detroit seemed to dominate the Penguins during that series, although the Pens managed to steal two games. Pittsburgh deserved a lot of credit seeing as how they had gone from being at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, to the top. Detroit, on the other hand, is a given. They had won three Stanley Cups in the previous eleven years, and their roster hasn't really been drastically changed, therefor the experience only added to the talent of this club.

This being a new season, means new faces including some familiar ones playing on the opposing side. Goaltender Ty Conklin played on the 2007-2008 Penguins team, facing Detroit in the Finals. He now finds himself in a red jersey, with a possible chance to play newly, old teammates. This is the same situation for forward Marian Hossa. The Penguins aquired him at last year's trade deadline, and what a deal that was. Hossa was phenomenal through the playoff run, scoring 26 points, twelve of them being goals. Although Conklin wasn't in goal for the Finals, it still will be interesting if this is the matchup to see which team lifts Lord Stanley.

Many Penguins fans, including myself, would love to see the Pens win especially if it's against the Redwings just to spite Hossa. Even though Detroit seems unstoppable come playoffs, the benefit to the opposing team is the unexpected injuries to Norris Trophy candidate, Nick Lidstrom, and Hart Trophy finalist, Pavel Datsyuk. Possibly the team's two best players are questionable to play, which is a relief to the other team.

The goaltending matchup is a good one with Marc-Andre Fleury in for the Pens, and Chris Osgood for the Redwings. They matched up against eachother last year with Osgood going home with the glory. This is a brand new year, including a new bench boss for the Pens. Michel Therrien, the Head Coach that led the team to the Finals last year, was fired midway through the season and in came Dan Bylsma. Though Bylsma's way of coaching may be questionable to some, he turned this team around in a hurry going from tenth place to earning a spot in the post-season. With a new style of coaching, comes a new outlook so if the Pens do advance, their opponent better be ready.

The players that will grab all analysts and media coverage will be the obvious Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for the Penguins, and Marian Hossa and Henrik Zetterberg for the Redwings. To my surprise, Hossa hasn't piled up the points this post-season like he did last. As for Zetterberg, he's been a key component to this team with 18 points, but neither of these players numbers match up to those of Crosby and Malkin. Malkin, who currently rides a six multi-point games streak, has 28 points, twelve being goals. Malkin has been lighting up Hurricanes' goalie, Cam Ward, with a hatrick in Game Two and two goals in Game three. Crosby has a chance to break an NHL record of most goals scored in one playoff year. The record is 19 goals and Crosby is at a close 14.

If this shall be the matchup, it will be one exciting series. My guess would be seven games, with Pittsburgh winning. I know Detroit would probably be favored, but I think the Pens are just too offensively talented and too much to handle.