Go Wings Go!

The Stanley Cup finals started this weekend. Detroit vs Pittsburgh. The two best teams in the league (and now, San Jose and Montreal were not better). This is what a finals should be. Best matchup in years.

Detroit is a machine. Look at their playoff stats. Note that Franzen has been out since before game 2 in the last series.

SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
H. Zetterberg 17 12 10 15 22
P. Datsyuk 17 9 10 12 19
J. Franzen 11 12 3 9 15
J. Hudler 17 4 9 -2 13
N. Kronwall 17 0 12 10 12
M. Samuelsson 17 4 7 7 11
T. Holmstrom 17 3 8 5 11
N. Lidstrom 17 2 9 9 11
B. Rafalski 17 2 8 6 10
V. Filppula 17 3 4 4 7

GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
C. Osgood 11 2 0 .935 1.48
D. Hasek 2 2 0 .888 2.91

Pittsburgh ain't too shabby themselves:

SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
S. Crosby 15 4 17 5 21
M. Hossa 15 9 10 6 19
E. Malkin 15 9 10 4 19
R. Malone 15 6 9 6 15
S. Gonchar 15 1 10 4 11
P. Sykora 15 5 3 5 8
J. Staal 15 6 1 1 7
M. Talbot 12 2 5 4 7
P. Dupuis 15 2 4 7 6
R. Whitney 15 1 5 7 6

M. Fleury 12 3 0 .934 1.86

The Pens have more even scoring, but Detoit has more of it, and a more impressive +/-. The goaltending is pretty much a wash. I've been a Detroit supporter since the playoffs started. They just keep going. Watching them play has been amazing. It's as if they score at will. "Oh, we're down a goal... time to get a couple." 2 minutes later they're up by 1. Pittsburgh lacks the maturity and experience here I think.

What I find hilarious is that before Saturday, every sports "expert" in Toronto was calling for a Pittsburgh win. "Penguins in 6!" "No way Detroit can keep up with these young guys and their desire to win." Bullshit. These comments screamed ignorance. The funny part is that AFTER Saturday, the tune changes. "Pittsburgh is inexperienced!" "Crosby and Malkin need another year!" "Oilers!" (if you know hockey, you get that last one). Fucking schlubs in sports broadcasting. Get a clue.

Poor Wings. They've been the most consistent team in the LEAGUE for the past decade and nobody remembers them come playoff time. But looking at their stats, I knew there was no stoppping them. They're now 3 wins away from finishing it off.

I expect Pittsburgh will bounce back tonight and it will be a hard-fought game. If Franzen laces up, Detroit just gets better though. I WANT to see some close games, and watch these two teams go at it tooth-and-nail. In the end though, I have to hand it to Detroit. If this goes to 7, I'll be on the edge of my seat.

Go wings Go!