The NHL receives a repeat matchup of last year's “dream” Stanley Cup final matchup. The Pittsburgh Penguins, led by the 2007 league MVP Sidney Crosby and 2009 Hart Trophy candidate, Evgeni Malkin take on the defending Stanley Cup Champions, Detroit Red Wings, America’s most recognizable hockey franchise, led by two all-around forwards in Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, along with team captain and one of the best defensemen of all-time, Nicklas Lidstrom.

This year's Finals has an added twist, with Marian Hossa now lining up for the Red Wings after arguably being Pittsburgh's best performer during last season's Stanley Cup Finals.

However, as we all know, there is more to this matchup then the big names. It’s quite possible that a “lesser known” player will step into the spotlight over the course of the next couple weeks and have that once in a lifetime moment, helping his team lift Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Without further adieu, let’s delve deeper into this scintillating 2009 Stanley Cup Final matchup:


OFFENSE


This matchup pits the top two offensive teams during the 2009 playoffs. Detroit has received scoring from a number of different sources during the regular season and playoffs to pace their league-leading unit. Pittsburgh has been led by both Crosby and Malkin who have 28 points in 17 playoff games.

Pittsburgh owns a plethora of offensive talent, which has run roughshod over the Eastern Conference this postseason. Aside from Crosby and Malkin, the Pens must continue to receive major contributions from the likes of Bill Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko, Chris Kunitz, Max Talbot and Jordan Staal in order to remain successful. From the point, the Pens receive significant offensive contributions from Sergei Gonchar (12 points) and Kris Letang (9 points).

For Detroit, Pavel Datsyuk, if he returns to the lineup, must return to form offensively alongside Marian Hossa. Meanwhile, Tomas Holmstrom, Daniel Cleary and Johan Franzen must continue to effectively be a nuisance in front of the opposition's goaltender, in this instance Pens’ goalie Marc Andre Fleury. They each do a fantastic job of screening the goaltender and tipping pucks past goalies while in front. Despite Datsyuk's struggles offensively, Valteri Filppula has picked up the slack offensively in place of the Red Wing Hart Trophy candidate, with 13 points thus far in the playoffs. The Wings point men have continued to spearhead the attack from the blueline as Lidstrom (13 points), Brian Rafalski (8 points) and Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart (7 points) have all made a contribution offensively from the backend.


Edge: PITTSBURGH


DEFENSE


The Wings top two pairings are as good as they get in the NHL and gobble up the majority of the minutes. Typically, Nicklas Lidstrom has teamed up with the Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary line to face the opposition’s top offensive unit. However, Babcock is not afraid to throw out Kronwall-Stuart on occasion to give the opposition more of a physical defensive pair to combat. I would not be surprised to see the top pairing go up against against the Crosby line, followed by Kronwall-Stuart to face Malkin’s unit.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has a very underrated group on the blue-line. Sergei Gonchar has played extremely well at both ends for the Pens and will need to play large for Pittsburgh. Brooks Orpik, Hal Gill, Rob Scuderi and Kris Letang will have to continue their solid play this postseason in order for Pittsburgh to be successful. In particular Gill will be expected to combat frequently with Tomas Holmstrom in front of the goal.

That being said, it is tough to go against the best defensive team in this year's playoffs.


Edge: DETROIT


GOALTENDING


In the end, this is where I think this series will be won or lost.

I think some hockey fans forget that Marc Andre Fleury was drafted first overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and was expected to become the next Roberto Luongo. Although he has had to overcome some past disappointments since joining the league, there is no questioning the immense talent he possesses. Fleury was "out of this world' in his Game 5 triple overtime win over Detroit in last year's Finals. As he proved on that stage, he certainly does contain the ability to steal a game or two for Pittsburgh, if necessary.

As for the Red Wings, Chris Osgood has played at an extremely high level this postseason. There may come a point in time in this series where Pittsburgh is peppering the Wings goal with shots looking for the lead or an equalizer and Osgood needs to stand on his head. In addition, you cannot discount the fact Osgood has already won two Stanley Cups as a starting goalie (1998 & 2008) and is playing night and day better than he was during the regular season.

Edge: DETROIT


SPECIAL TEAMS


Detroit's power-play has been converting on over 25% of its attempts all season long and has continued this pace during the postseason. The Pens penalty killing has been fairly consistent all season long at around 82-83%. The return of Lidstrom to the lineup is pivotal for many reasons, but in particular, the Wings power play.

Detroit's penalty killing has been mediocre all season long and has endured a streak of 13 straight playoff games allowing at least one power-play goal. That being said, they had some big kills in the Chicago series, including a 5 minute major and 2-man advantage. In addition, Marian Hossa scored a big shorthanded goal to open the scoring in the pivotal Game 4 blowout.

It will again be crucial in this series, as it was versus Chicago, for Detroit to cool off the opponents power play. If Pittsburgh improves upon it's current 19.3% success rate on the PP, the Stanley Cup will have a very good chance of ending up into Mario Lemieux’s pool again.


Edge: DETROIT


INTANGIBLES

It should be interesting to see how the Pens handle returning to the scene of last year's crime. Pittsburgh has been very effective whether playing at home or on the road this postseason, so it would not surprise me to see them obtain at least a split during the first two games this weekend at the Joe.

Meanwhile, although the experience factor isn’t as substantial in my opinion as one may think, I believe there is something to be said for a team who got close the previous year. However, Pittsburgh has had some turnover since last season. In particular, the loss of Hossa to Detroit and the removal of Michel Therien as head coach, replaced by Dan Bylsma.

Despite the defending Stanley Cup champions being a slight favourite in Las Vegas, all of the spotlight seems to lie with Pittsburgh. Many pundits are predicting a Penguins series victory, due in large part to the play of Crosby and Malkin. It’s an ideal situation for the Wings that the Pens are getting most of the attention due to their superstars and people questioning the Wings given their possible injury concerns.

Edge: DETROIT


In the end, defense is what wins championships. The Red Wings have frustrated opponents during the entire postseason by implementing a defensive system, which limits odd man rushes and many point blank opportunities. In concert with their puck possession style, similar to last season, I foresee a young Pittsburgh team growing frustrated as Detroit beats them with the very same method as last season. There is no doubting the skill level of Crosby and Malkin, however, people must not forget what they said about Zetterberg and Datsyuk following last year's Finals. The team with the better two-way superstars ended up lifting the Cup.

I truly believe the Penguins have run roughshod over an Eastern Conference that is not on par with the West when you look at the top teams in each conference. When it is all said and done, Detroit still possesses too much depth for these Penguins and can play their system too well, limiting the effectiveness of Crosby and Malkin. The possibility remains that Pittsburgh can stretch this series out with the play of Fleury and injuries to Detroit's top players likely limiting how well they can play. Regardless, home-ice in the end will be the difference with Nicklas Lidstrom lifting the Stanley Cup over his head in front of the hometown fans as Detroit should prevail in an exciting seven-game series.


Prediction: DETROIT IN 7

Conn Smythe Trophy Winner: CHRIS OSGOOD


mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com