HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Who will win the Stanley Cup?

Preds, of course!

preds in 6

The Preds haven't faced an elite team since the Hawks in the playoffs. This series they do not have Fiala Fisher or Johannsen Pens in 6

Im cheering for Nashville all the way but I think Pittsburgh will win in 7

The Preds haven't faced an elite team since the Hawks in the playoffs. This series they do not have Fiala Fisher or Johannsen Pens in 6
- dirt4949

Well, I guess the Preds will have to take Crosby & Malkin out to level the field. Kidding...

Of course, I'm rooting for the Preds, and I think they have a good shot... but man, the Penguins look like the dragon nobody can slay. Preds in 6... hopefully?

What happens when an incredibly mis-matched defense takes on an incredibly mis-matched center corps? I'm going with Preds in 6, but won't be surprised either way.

James Tanner, defines the gameplay of the penguins as "luck". Really dude.. They just beat 2 of the top teams in the east and then managed to get past a blast from the past "Trap System". Which is something they used to struggle with. Also made some great goalies look pretty average. Anderson was outstanding though.

Preds look great. Just not sure what the East is producing for great teams these days. I thought San Jose looked awesome last year and they didn't hold up to well in the Finals.

I will take the Pens in 6 only if they can manage to win game 1. Otherwise, I will take Preds in 6. . I expect Rinne to look average just like Holtby and Mr. Bob.

LETS GO PREDS.

James tanner..... the capitals did not have the best defenceman in the playoffs... any group of 6 that includes Brooks Orpik, Karl alzner at 50% is not the best defence in the playoffs... I would rank nashvilles D, anaheims, minnesotas, prolly even the blues D ahead of the caps D

The preds top 4 is the best in the NHL at the moment. Tanner's brutal attempt to come off as a homer is laughable. Carlson is the best defencemen the caps had and he is on par with ekholm, a solid support partner for a star number one defenceman. To be fair every team needs that top d if there is any hope of winning the cup, Washington is no exception. The worst top defenceman to win it all in the last decade was chara and when the big guy could still skate he was supirior to anything the caps or for that matter Pittsburg could ice this year (I miss letang). Pk and josi outclass almost any teams top 2 even if you have karlson.

Preds in 5

James get a day job, just so you can quit and continue telling us how much you hate the Man

James Tanner, defines the gameplay of the penguins as "luck". Really dude.. They just beat 2 of the top teams in the east and then managed to get past a blast from the past "Trap System". Which is something they used to struggle with. Also made some great goalies look pretty average. Anderson was outstanding though.

Preds look great. Just not sure what the East is producing for great teams these days. I thought San Jose looked awesome last year and they didn't hold up to well in the Finals.

I will take the Pens in 6 only if they can manage to win game 1. Otherwise, I will take Preds in 6. . I expect Rinne to look average just like Holtby and Mr. Bob.
- seaofgreen

Taking nothing away from how good they have played at certain times, nor the accomplishments of the Crosby or Malkin, but let's be realitstic: Letang is out for the season , their D is terrible, their starting goalie got hurt, their backup played like a superstar against the best team in the league, and they won a seven game series against the Caps where they were destroyed in six of seven games.

It's not an insult to the Penguins, its just what has actually transpired.

James tanner..... the capitals did not have the best defenceman in the playoffs... any group of 6 that includes Brooks Orpik, Karl alzner at 50% is not the best defence in the playoffs... I would rank nashvilles D, anaheims, minnesotas, prolly even the blues D ahead of the caps D
- Kunit

Each of their lines had a top-pairing quality dman on it, and Alzner hardly played.

Each of their lines had a top-pairing quality dman on it, and Alzner hardly played.
- james_tanner1

Any of the caps 7 defenceman, including shattenkirk would be at best on the predators 3rd pair

Man, Tanner is still choking on those sour grapes.

It is hard not to be fearful of what the Preds bring as a Penguin's fan. They seem like they would match up well against the Penguins. However, last year everyone in the media thought the Sharks would roll right through the Penguins and it ended up being the other way around. That makes me wonder this year if the West is as strong as everybody thinks it is.

That's the interesting thing about predicting playoffs. Since both teams that are left have one played against three teams for the last month and a half, how do you rate them? Did Nashville beat 3 very good teams or were those teams making Nashville look good with mediocre play. Same thing goes for the Penguins. The first game will say a lot.

Preds are the definite favorites here. Pens are huge underdogs as was the case against Columbus, Wash, and Ottawa.

Preds are far more battle tested team and have played way more meaningful games the past few years.

Preds have better players too. If the Pens even win a game it'll be by pure luck.

Preds will control play and thus, win games. As we've seen all playoffs.

Tanner is still crying. Get over it man.

The Preds haven't faced an elite team since the Hawks in the playoffs. This series they do not have Fiala Fisher or Johannsen Pens in 6
- dirt4949

lol wut

The Peds better be ready to skate if they want to win the Cup. They havent seen anything like the pace the Pens play with.

NHLs best offense vs the NHLs best defense, cant wait.

Who will win the Stanley Cup?

Hmmm, just going out on a limb here buuut...I'll say probably the team that wins 4 games.

The Peds better be ready to skate if they want to win the Cup. They havent seen anything like the pace the Pens play with.

NHLs best offense vs the NHLs best defense, cant wait.
- stackthepads

Don't know where you're getting this best defense from? Based on just these playoffs or the whole season?

According to the season stats, they are firmly in the middle of the league with the Pens defensively with goals allowed. The Caps far and away had the best defense. The Pens did however have the best offense.

The Peds better be ready to skate if they want to win the Cup. They havent seen anything like the pace the Pens play with.

NHLs best offense vs the NHLs best defense, cant wait.
- stackthepads

Pens have the 2nd lowest raw 5v5 shot attempts per 60 during the playoffs. Not sure that exactly screams "pace".

Pens have the 2nd lowest raw 5v5 shot attempts per 60 during the playoffs. Not sure that exactly screams "pace".
- Feds91Stammer

They also controlled possession at 65% versus a trapping team in Ottawa. Not sure what that screams either but why are we screaming?

This SCF is basically the best D in hockey (excepting possibly the Caps) vs the worst (with Letang out, not sure anyone else is even close to as thin).

Feel like it's more... The best D in hockey vs. the best FWDs in hockey.