Comments on: Stanley Cup Preview: Detroit Red Wings vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

By: david

david — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:17:30 +0000

So far Top Cat its looking like your predictions wouldn’t have been a wise investment.

By: let lord stanley enter | Pucks & Pearls

let lord stanley enter | Pucks & Pearls — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:38:46 +0000

[...] Curve has given a breakdown of the Penguins and the Red Wings. And, while people on the NHL have given their analysis, the majority of them have picked the Wings [...]

By: Slapshot

Slapshot — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:18:19 +0000

I don’t see the Pens winning in 5 (I picked the Wings in 7). You seem quite confident Top Cat, which is good, but while I could very easily see the Penguins winning, there is no way this series is over in less than 6 or 7 games (regarless of winner).

By: Top Cat Blues

Top Cat Blues — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:03:11 +0000

Forgot to say but how could it be more obvious that Crosby wins the Smythe trophy as the playoff MVP. Put no money on that because the payout will be poor.

By: Top Cat Blues

Top Cat Blues — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:59:58 +0000

Put your main money on Pittsburgh in 5. Save a poke for Pittsburgh in 4. Check out the odds against winning back to back Cups. Take no shutouts in the series. Take the under in every game but game 4. Thank me later and bring me props. The Red Wings are old, tired and banged up. The Red Wings have lots of Cups in the last whatever years. Been there done that. The Penguins are hungry. The Penguins don’t just believe they can beat the Red Wings. They know they will beat the Red Wings. Watch the Red Wings wilt. Too bad unless you are a Penguin fan the series will be a disappointment. All good things must come to an end Red Wings. Come back next year and try again.

By: Melanie B

Melanie B — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:50:30 +0000

Wings in 7. (only because Datsyuk isn’t 100%). Otherwise I think they would win in 6. Cleary could be MVP.

Congrats on getting tickets to Game 1.

By: icethepuck

icethepuck — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:50:47 +0000

Tough call. Wings are a better overall team but the injuries to Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Hossa and Draper might be too much against a young and hungry Pittsburgh team.

Straight up I would go with Detroit but due to all the injured players I think Pens win in 6.

Malkin will be MVP.

By: Top Cat Blues

Top Cat Blues — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:49:09 +0000

Penguins in 5.

By: david

david — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:36:34 +0000

I agree Drew, that the injuries to Datsyuk and Lidstrom are troubling but I think Lidstrom is back to “playoff form” (meaning not 100% but sufficient to play). I think that Datsyuk should be back for Game 2. With regards to Hossa I’m not sure anymore if he is injured or not. Based on the last few games I would say he isn’t. (or anymore so than anyone else after this long a season).

Now Kyle, let us not forget which IC Contributor has predicted Detroit in the first place and which of us took Columbus.

So far the picks appear to favor Pittsburgh 7 to 4 picks for Detroit.

By: The Morning Skate: Surfing for Stanley Cup Wisdom - Slap Shot Blog - NYTimes.com

The Morning Skate: Surfing for Stanley Cup Wisdom - Slap Shot Blog - NYTimes.com — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:32:02 +0000

[...] David at Illegal Curve gives the Wings the edge in goaltending, defense, special teams; he give the Pens a slight edge at forward. “I think my sentiments as to who will win the series and the Stanley Cup are best summed up by Adam Sandler from Billy Madison: ‘It’s too damn hot for a Penguin to be just walkin’ around here.’ Detroit in 7.” [...]

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:26:20 +0000

I am worried about the injuries facing Detroit. As you have said so often Dave, Hossa just does not look right, and hasn’t since the end of the regular season. I think eventually those injuries have to catch up to Detroit, and that’s why I am going with Pittsburgh in 6.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:14:34 +0000

Worst prediction since “Dewey Beats Truman”

Pens in 6

By: breakaway

breakaway — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:41:45 +0000

Pens win in 6. Fleury will be MVP.

I considered this for a bit after reading your preview and while you make good points I think that you are underestimating the Penguins.

I agree with Richard that Fleury is better than Osgood and while the rest of your assessments seem accurate, this position is too important to be dismissed lightly. I think Osgood has played great but I expect Fleury to take it to the next stratosphere in these finals.

And I don’t think he will be falling, although if he does, I get to mulligan this pick.

By: Calihockey

Calihockey — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:58:30 +0000

hahaha. Well done on the Billy Madison usage. Pens want to sip from the Cup. They also have a vendetta against Hossa. Crosby touching the Prince of Wales trophy harkens back to Lemieux in 1992. Penguins in 7. Fleury MVP.

By: bladesofsteel

bladesofsteel — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:26:52 +0000

The Cup is staying in Hockeytown, USA. I like Crosby and Malkin but Osgood is playing great and the depth of the Wings will be too much to handle. All that being said I’m sure the Pens have learnt from the mistakes they made last year so I expect it to be close.

Detroit in 7. Osgood MVP if Wings win. Crosby MVP if Pens win.

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 29 May 2009 01:26:21 +0000

Nice job on the preview. I disagree with your goaltending assessment though. I think Fleury holds the edge between the pipes.

By: Jen M

Jen M — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:51:31 +0000

Good assessments although I think you might have underestimated M.A. Fleury.

Penguins are going to win in 6.

Crosby is MVP. Possibly Lidstrom.

By: Missourimike

Missourimike — Fri, 29 May 2009 00:17:58 +0000

I cannot understand how people complain about this Final (unless your a Hawks/Canes or Flyers fan). So many different story lines. As much as people in Pittsburgh aren’t focussing on Hossa, you have to know that they are thinking about ‘the switch’. I agree that the parallel to the early 80′s is an interesting one and I think the Pens are going to be the hungrier of the two teams. Penguins win the series in 7.

Conn Smythe: Crosby or Osgood

By: BrandonMartin

BrandonMartin — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:47:29 +0000

Found you via YouTube (good video’s). I think this should be an amazing Finals. Its almost too close to call. If pushed I would pick the Red Wings and home ice advantage. Osgood has looked very tough.

MVP: Cleary for Wings, Fleury for Penguins.

By: Slapshot

Slapshot — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:22:22 +0000

Wings have pretty much the same team, add Hossa and they are going to lose…not likely pensfans.

Wings win in 7.

MVP:
Wings – Osgood
Pens – Crosby

By: penguinsfan

penguinsfan — Thu, 28 May 2009 23:06:47 +0000

You were closer with the parallel between the Pens and Islanders than your (kinda funny) Billy Madison reference.

Crosby and Malkin are running wild. Pens in 6.