Detroit is chasing the Leafs for Stanley Cup championships, and a win this year still keeps them a Cup behind their Maple Leaf rivals, and at a lower percentage of wins. Detroit will stay third on the Cup list either way—but want to get closer to the Leafs. The Penguins would make a jump from being tied for seventh to being tied for sixth. 

Mario Lemieux had a lot of accolades for Sidney Crosby, saying Crosby is more mature and talented than Lemieux was at his age.

Detroit wants to prove that in the "new NHL" a team doesn't need a star goalie, and that they can win it all using mostly Scandinavian players.

Pittsburgh wants to prove that superstars make the game.

Coaching is going to be a major factor in this series, as will momentum.  The Penguins want the fastest play possible and any drop in momentum, like timeouts, that will hurt them. Detroit wants a slow, controlled game played out tactically.

Selected Category Edges:

Coaching: Detroit 
Skaters: Detroit (depth, teamwork, offense/defense) 
Experience: Detroit 
Discipline: Detroit

Star Power: Pittsburgh 
Goaltending: Pittsburgh

Heart: Even