2007-08 Stanley Cup Final: Preview and Predictions

The 2007-08 Stanley Cup Finals will be one for the record books. What has consistently been the best team in the league over the past decade and already proven themselves a decade will take on a team looking to start a dynasty of their own.

            This series looked to be destined since round one. Both the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins have played as if unstoppable; combined they have scored 106 goals while surrendering a mere 57. The only way to determine the winner of this series is to go position-by-position and player-by-player and compare who is better off.

            Let’s start with the forwards. The first names that come to mind are Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Henrik Zetterberg, and Pavel Datsyuk.

            Crosby’s statistics thus far shouldn’t be a surprise. Four goals and 17 assists are modest numbers for Sid “The Kid.” However, his consistency is mind-blowing.

            He put up eight points in the first-round series against the Senators, six points in the second-round against the Rangers, and most-recently seven points in the Conference Finals against the Flyers. He also has 11 power-play points (1 G, 10 A).

            Malkin has begun to decline slightly in terms of numbers, scoring just two points in the final four games against the Flyers. But his 19 points are still good for second overall in the playoffs. Aside from his point totals, Malkin has been much more physical in his recent series-win over the Flyers, something he will need to continue if the Penguins want to win the Cup this season.

            Zetterberg’s numbers in the postseason are very similar to those he put up in the regular season. He has a point in 12 of Detroit’s 16 games and is tied with Crosby for the lead in points with 21 (11 G, 10 A).

            What is impressive about Zetterberg is that he can score whenever he wants. He has three goals and four assists on the power-play, two goals and three assists on the penalty-kill, and six goals and three assists at even-strength. He is a balanced scorer and a threat whenever he is on the ice. Oh, and he is a modest + 15 this postseason, not too shabby.

            Datsyuk is another impressive name from the already overly-impressive Detroit lineup. Pair him up with Zetterberg and what do you get? A combined +27 to go along with a combined 40 points. Datsyuk has nine goals and ten assists.

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