It all comes down to a battle for the Keystone State. Now as college kids start stock piling the Keystone (Be it Light, Ice or the "Red Can"), this one should be a great match up. Then on the other side of the country, the Detroit Red Wings and the Dallas (formerly of Minnesota) Stars will throw down. But who will win.
Eastern Conference
The war is on as the young Penguins take on the resurgent Flyers. Now, we here at Sal Fasano, located in the hockey hotbed of Rochester, NY (Brian Gionta, Marty Reasoner and Ryan Callahan), watch a lot of hockey. In fact both contributers went to see RIT get whooped by Air Force despite people hoping the Air Force players would be sent to Iraq. Direct quote.
Putting Penguins bias aside, I am a huge fan of Pittsburgh in this one. Apart from the strong play of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, it's been a team effort when it comes to the scoring column. Gary Roberts was a great pick up by the Pens. Sure, he's an old geezer, but you need veteran leadership on a hockey club. Mixing in young talent with some key veterans will be beneficial. It comes at the best time, as the Penguins were able to sip the playoffs last year, before Ottawa sent them home.
The blue line has been stellar for them as well. Brooks Orpik will never chip in 20 goals but he will not let you go coast to coast. Sergei Gonchar and Kris Letang have been great on being stellar two-ways. Going against Philly should be strong for the Pens.
Of course the last defense has been amazing for Pittsburgh because, yes, Marc-Andre Fleury has shown up! I know, I cannot believe it. The number one pick for Pittsburgh is posting a .938 save percentage and allowing only 1.76 goals in the playoffs. Goaltender wins you Stanley Cups.
Philadelphia is your Rudy... no scratch that, your Vince Papale. One of the worst teams in the league last year, the Flyers are cruising due to a key pick up in Danny Briere (former Sabre, still French looking 12 yr old). He wasn't the captain at Buffalo, but there was definately a reason the Sabres failed to make the playoffs. He brought his stick to Philly and it showed.
Buffalo dealt Marty Biron to the Flyers at the trade deadline last year and these playoffs are the reason he is a great number one goalie. Despite having to duel with Cristobal Huet in round one, he got some well needed rest against Montreal.
Kudos to the speed and great playmaking of Jeff Carter and Mike Richards. This is what the Penguins blue line will have to go up against.
Overall this is going to be a great series, in the end, don't be surprised if the Penguins take it in six games. It just feels like the Penguins year, the players are ripe and the leadership is there.
Detroit-Dallas post coming soon.
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