Four teams are left to battle for Lord Stanley's Cup and while one team was viewed as a top contender when the playoffs began (Detroit), the other three teams (Carolina, Pittsburgh, Chicago) came with their share of question marks heading into the postseason. Of course, all of that is ancient history now, and after two pretty grueling rounds, the Conference Finals should be a showcase of skill and determination for the NHL. Here's why each of these teams will — and won't — move on to the final battle for the Stanley Cup.
Detroit Red Wings
The defending champions keep rolling, despite a brutal seven-game series against the Anaheim Ducks that came down to a defensive miscue with three minutes left in the third period. Observers are questioning where Pavel Datsyuk's production has gone or if he's hiding a severe injury. In the meantime, Chris Osgood has provided suitable goaltending, though he hasn't outright stolen any games. Johan Franzen is leading the charge offensively, and Detroit's combination of skill, experience, and championship mettle is shining through.
The Case For: As last year's champions, the Red Wings remain the favorites until they get knocked out of the postseason. The entire crew is in been-there-done-that mode, which is a good thing. Franzen has been nearly unstoppable, and the steady veteran presence, along with the coaching savvy of Mike Babcock, has this team believing they can beat anyone.
The Case Against: Detroit had a few stinker games where some of their flaws were exposed in the first two rounds. Chris Osgood hasn't faced an offensive challenge like the Chicago Blackhawks yet, and the physicality of the seven-game Anaheim series may have taken its toll on the older Red Wings.
Chicago Blackhawks
What a difference a year makes. Older, wiser, and just plain better, the young Chicago Blackhawks are playing beyond their years. It helps that goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has regained his form, Martin Havlat's stayed healthy, and Dustin Byfuglien is as nasty a crease crasher as Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom. On the blueline, you've got a mix of steady (Duncan Keith) and spectacular (Brian Campbell), and the variety of offensive weapons means that the Blackhawks are never out of a game — as evidenced by their numerous come-from-behind wins so far.
The Case For: Perhaps they're just too young and dumb to realize the enormity of the task. Whatever it is, the 'Hawks seem up for the challenge, with secondary scoring (Havlat/Kris Versteeg) elevating their game to support Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. As for experience, Khabibulin certainly knows how to deliver Cup-winning goaltending.
The Case Against: In order to have come-from-behind victories, you have to fall in a hole in the first place. Will Detroit's veteran savvy roll over Chicago's youthful exuberance?
Series Sub-Plot: This is the first time Chicago has faced former captain Chris Chelios in the playoffs. Chelios's familiar No. 7 is now worn by another defenseman, Brent Seabrook. Chelios still gets jeers from the Chicago faithful, despite the Chicago-born's longtime tenure with the team. This also marks the playoff return of Scotty Bowman to Hockeytown — only this time, the legendary ex-coach is a consultant for the opposition. Will his insider knowledge give the Blackhawks a leg up on his former club?
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins' season essentially came in two parts — B.B. (Before Bylsma) and A.B. (After Bylsma). When Dan Bylsma took the coaching reins, he unleashed his biggest thoroughbreds by removing the constricting system former coach Michel Therrien used. Instead, Bylsma's attack-based system allowed his big guns to shine through with their natural talents. The return of puck-moving defenseman Sergei Gonchar made things much easier for the blueline, and trade deadline acquisitions Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz have been a natural fit alongside Sidney Crosby.
The Case For: Some guys named Crosby and Malkin.
The Case Against: Marc-Andre Fleury has been good, but not great so far in the playoffs. Malkin's intensity is like a sine wave — it comes and goes, and if Carolina can keep Crosby in check while Malkin in a down period, they could take over the series.
Carolina Hurricanes
While Pittsburgh's coaching change allowed for more offensive freelancing, Carolina went from the go-go-go style of Peter Laviolette to the more structured system of ex-ex-coach Paul Maurice (see, there's hope for all those bad breakups after all). That change stabilized Carolina's defensive game and turned their season around. The Canes are getting secondary support from cast-offs like Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Samsanov. More importantly, Eric Staal has decided to take over as team leader and Cam Ward finally found the level of consistency Carolina fans have sought since his Conn Smyth-winning introduction.
The Case For: Spectacular second-half goaltending from Ward carried through two strong rounds, especially against the high-flying Bruins. If he could overcome the East's best team, there's no reason why he can't take on a considerably thinner (though more top-heavy) Pittsburgh lineup.
The Case Against: Could the fatigue of two straight seven-game series wear on Carolina? Can the Hurricanes' no-name defense shut down the high-flying Penguins?
Series Sub-Plot: Eric Staal is Carolina's top forward. Jordan Staal is Pittsburgh's key defensive forward. Mr. Staal, meet Mr. Staal — you two will be seeing a lot of each other on the ice.
Prediction
Both series are closer than some people are giving them credit for. Depending on how the bounces go, expect both to go six or seven games — but ultimately, get ready for a rematch of last year's Cup final between Detroit and Pittsburgh.
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