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In light of the recent UEFA and NBA Finals threads, I thought I'd create a thread on the upcoming Stanley Cup Finals of the NHL (National Hockey League)! This is the championship series of the NHL, having spent the last month and a half http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Stanley_Cup_playoffs#Playoff_bracket"! If that sounds familiar, that's because it's a rematch of last year's final.
Since I can best be described as a life-long fan of the Edmonton Oilers, there's a certain appeal to having a young upstart get spanked one year, and then taking the lessons and lumps, and besting the teachers the next year, launching a dynasty in the process. I think I'd give the top-line talent edge to the Penguins, but the depth, and experience of the Red Wings (and their own top-line talent) allows them to succeed year after year.
Malkin and Crosby have made huge strides this past year, and i think they'll be able to prevail over a banged-up Red Wings team that may be without perennial Norris-winner Nick Lidstrom, and has an underperforming (point-wise) Pavel Datsyuk. The other storyline that's been hyped is having Red Wing player Marion Hossa, who signed with the Red Wings for the express purpose of winning a Stanley Cup, face off against his former team. On the other hand, Detroit's been able to dominate nearly every series (save for Anaheim) and do it on a committee basis.
Your thoughts? Keep in mind that to this point, I've been wrong in most of my series picks, and my standing in my playoff pool reflects this! (This dual-purpose thread also serves to identify Canadians, Russians, Swedes, and outliers from other countries!)
Since I can best be described as a life-long fan of the Edmonton Oilers, there's a certain appeal to having a young upstart get spanked one year, and then taking the lessons and lumps, and besting the teachers the next year, launching a dynasty in the process. I think I'd give the top-line talent edge to the Penguins, but the depth, and experience of the Red Wings (and their own top-line talent) allows them to succeed year after year.
Malkin and Crosby have made huge strides this past year, and i think they'll be able to prevail over a banged-up Red Wings team that may be without perennial Norris-winner Nick Lidstrom, and has an underperforming (point-wise) Pavel Datsyuk. The other storyline that's been hyped is having Red Wing player Marion Hossa, who signed with the Red Wings for the express purpose of winning a Stanley Cup, face off against his former team. On the other hand, Detroit's been able to dominate nearly every series (save for Anaheim) and do it on a committee basis.
Your thoughts? Keep in mind that to this point, I've been wrong in most of my series picks, and my standing in my playoff pool reflects this! (This dual-purpose thread also serves to identify Canadians, Russians, Swedes, and outliers from other countries!)
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