Detroit Red Wings Face Pittsburgh Penguins in Stanley Cup Final.

After another grueling 82-game season has ended, we've made it through the excitment (or tedium in some cases) of the conference playoffs and have finally arrived at the battle for sport's most famous trophy, the Stanley Cup. 

From the NHL's point of view, its hard to imagine a better pairing than the best franchise of the last decade versus the leauge's brightest young stars.  If Americans don't watch now it is officially impossible to grab their interest. 

Two of the most  blue-collar cities in America will also add a level of grit to the perception of the typically polite Midwest. 

The big question is, who has the advantage?  Detroit with their die-hard team attitude, or Pittsburgh with incredible individual skill?

Both goaltenders have been hot.  Chris Osgood (1.60 GAA, .931 Save%) and Marc-Andre Fleury (1.70, .938) will continue their stalwart play, which should lead to a greater emphasis on strong defensive and special teams play. 

The penalty killing percentages for both teams are the exact same (87.3%), and they have scored the same amount of goals on the power play (16). 

Pittsburgh has been undeniably impressive in the playoffs thus far, and look to continue their dominance. 

Detroit has faltered at two points, losing back-to-back games in the first and third round, but has looked unbeatable when they are on. 

With teams this close, intangibles and secondary play are going to be the deciding factors. 

Pittsburgh's young talent has been wowing fans of the NHL all year with flashy highlights and decisive wins.  However, Detroit quietly wrapped up the best record in the NHL spreading the scoring around to a plethora of third- and fourth-line players, along with call-ups from the minor leauges.

Where Malkin, Crosby and Hossa have been undeniably impressive, all of Detroit's four lines have been nearly as dominant. 

The edge than has to go to veteran leadership and determination.

While as the youngest captain in the history of the NHL, Crosby has taken the Penguins out of the dredges of hockey to the most elite ranks of the Eastern conference, he still is young and does not have anywhere near the experience or leadership ability of Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom. 

This should prove to be an impressive series and the next week should be interesting following the rehab of Johan Franzen and the barrage of press Commissioner Gary Bettman will be throwing at the Pens. 

Final Verdict: Detroit in six

(ALL STATS FROM NHL.COM)