But just as good as Datsyuk’s offense is, his defense is even better. He has a good shot at collecting this season’s Selke Trophy, which honors a forward for his defensive work. His back-check along with his speed might give Crosby and Malkin a little trouble handling the puck through the neutral zone.
Zetterberg and Datsyuk will be able to keep pace with Crosby and Malkin, which means this series will more than likely come down to role-playing forwards.
Marian Hossa is known as a star in the league, but he has taken a backseat to Crosby and Malkin in Pittsburgh. After starting off slow in the postseason, Hossa has scored 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in his last five games. He has to score goals in this series if the Penguins want to win this series quickly, which probably won’t happen.
Ryan Malone has stepped his game up to the next level in the playoffs. He is averaging just over a point a game and has scored at least four points in each series thus far. Malone is important to Pittsburgh, especially on the power-play. He has six points (3 G, 3 A) and is usually a benefactor of Mr. Crosby.
Johan Franzen will be a huge factor in this series…if he gets over his “concussion-like symptoms.” He is most likely out for game one, but if Detroit plans on winning the series, Franzen will need to return to the lineup immediately. He currently has the most goals in the playoffs (12), and more importantly, five of those have been game-winners.
Pittsburgh Notables: Petr Sykora (5 G, 3 A); Jordan Staal (6 G, 1 A)
Detroit Notables: Jiri Hudler (4 G, 9 A); Tomas Holstrom (3 G, 7 A)
Overall Edge (Forwards): Detroit
It was tough to distinguish who had a better offense, but that is not the case at all with the defense
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