Several folks have asked me to tell them who I think will win the Stanley Cup Finals this year.
Here is my answer: I believe the Pittsburgh Penguins will win the Cup this year. I think it is “their time”. I think they are younger and faster and bigger and have gained playoff and Finals experience.
I think they are very healthy and will be well rested. The schedule sets up well for them as well since back to back games are a good thing for the Penguins.
As usual, it will mostly come down to who has the best goaltending. But from firsthand experience I can tell you that the Penguins - right now - I believe are the best team in hockey and I believe they will win the Stanley Cup.
Please see my comment under Ted’s “discipline” post. The announcers seem to think everything that goes wrong for the Pens is an uncalled infraction or a bad bounce. Everything that goes right for the Wings, however, is merely luck. I’ve had to rewind a lot of plays to see exactly what they’re talking about at times . . . still don’t get it. I am sick for the Redwings although they’re up 2-0 . . .
Well…whoever wins….it’s been some pretty exciting hockey to watch, 2 games in! Pens = faster??? Not sure about that comment? The Wings seem to be keeping up with the young guys.
LOL…oh wait, I keep hearing the announcers say, the Pens have lost 2 games only because they’ve had some “bad luck”….so winning Stanley Cup hockey games is nothing more than luck????
It’s interesting how effective and confident the Red Wings can play in the Finals even when down Datsyuk, Lang, Draper…also letting Malkin off the hook on the instigator penalty prior to the league letting him off.
Regardless of that, what does it say about their on-ice system when they score 23 more goals than the Caps in the regular season and the Caps are the team with the high-powered offense tag?
My take would be that you get better returns in devoting some time to achieving full investment in other areas of hockey rather than investing 100% on offense, offense, offense. But I’m certainly no expert.
The Caps are definitely more fun to watch than the Red Wings, but our trophy case also has a lot more empty space.
I am sure you saw that incident after Game 1 of the Finals with Sidney Crosby hitting Kirk Maltby in the shin guards as he skated back to his bench. Why was there no game suspension given to Crosby when there was one given to Donald Brashear for his “contact” with Colton Orr before the Rangers game in the first series. Why does Sidney Crosby seem to get constant special treatment from the NHL?
Disagree. The Wings are the best team in hockey. The Caps should be studying the way they use their D and forwards in concert to counteract the supposedly unstoppable Malkin and Crosby. The Caps gave both of those players way too much room to operate, the Wings will not. Pay attention or face countless more playoff exits at the hands of the beatable Penguins.
I agree with your prognostication but I hope you’re wrong…
I am taking the Wings. Too deep and too much experience.
Many posters claim the Caps have to make many changes. I disagree. Just a couple of small ones. We went 7 games with the Pens and 2 of the loses were tough breaks.
Myles, the Cup finals opener is listed on page 2 of the sports section under TV/radio listings as well as in the Style section under the TV broadcast schedules…now where else should it be?
Mario, get real. One key element the Caps lacked in the playoffs was someone “scoring a million goals 2 feet away from the net”.
Dear Ted,
I attended the very first game the Caps ever played way back when and was for a time a season ticket holder until I couldn’t afford it anymore. I also refereed ice hockey in the mid-atlantic region for years, both youth hockey and ECHL. I’ve been a subscriber to the Washington Post for years but today I was fed-up and canceled my subscription. I was checking the sports section this morning and was checking the time the Stanley Cup finals would be on TV. I was surprised that the Post didn’t even list the the games in the “on the air” section. I can remember my friend Bob Fache – the much decorated hockey writer for the post who made sure, as best he could, that the Caps received equal exposure. Tarik el-Bashir can’t even get the Post to list the games and pretend they don’t exist. Maybe you should make a phone call!
Myles O’Reilly
Bowie
You better hope that doesn’t happen or your fan base is going to be in a very ornery mood. Very ornery.
I don’t know what will be better or worse for us next year – if the Pens don’t win, they will be thirstier for it, if they do, they’ll be all the more confident… Ugh.
Then we’ve got to match that youth, speed and size. And get the consistent great goaltending to prepare to meet and pass them in the playoffs for years to come.
Looking forward to next year, Ted.
I can’t believe me ears…sorry Ted I disagree one million percent with you…If the Capitals weren’t playing against the Pens and the Refs they would have won in 5 or 6 games. (Because everyone wanted to see the same final as last year) Hockey is just becoming ugly and dirty when Crosby is scoring a million goals 2 feet away from the net and is getting recognition for being outstanding…Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk…they are outstanding. Crosby is just a huge pig that eats up the trash… Go Wings
I am sad to say I agree. WOuld hate to see Malkin and Crosby get the cup before Ovi but it will probably happen. I do believe luck is on thier side.