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Original Image: "Stanley Cup" by Vlastula on Flickr
The Detroit Red Wings started off the series by winning two games at home.
The Pittsburgh Penguins fired back by winning two games at home.
Both games in Detroit ended with 3-1 scores.
Both games in Pittsburgh ended with 4-2 scores.
The Red Wings have scored 10 goals in this series.
So have the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It’s definitely close.
The team that wins two out of the next three will win the Stanley Cup.
Which team will that be?
The Pittsburgh Penguins have the momentum. They have won two games in a row. Jordan Staal’s shorthanded goal in game four could be the turning point of the series. The Penguins also look like they have more energy. They are hitting more. They are blocking more shots. They are skating faster and playing stronger.
But not all of the advantages are in Pittsburgh’s favour.
Two of the next three games will be played in Detroit.
The Pittsburgh Penguins had a great deal of trouble playing in Detroit in the first two games. Home ice gives the Red Wings a favourable crowd, lively boards that they know well and last change. You have to expect that Henrik Zetterberg will once again be matched up against Sidney Crosby.
Another advantage the Red Wings have is that Pavel Datsyuk will likely return to the line-up in game five.
He is probably far from 100%, but a less than healthy Datsyuk will likely still be one of the best players on the ice. Hopefully for Detroit, he will take some of the defensive workload away from Zetterberg.
Another factor that will benefit the Red Wings is the remaining schedule. The Wings looked very tired in game four. Not only were they skating a step slower, but they were also making mental mistakes that led to turnovers. From here on out there are two day gaps between games. The extra rest will definitely help a Detroit team that is tired and beaten up.
So what will win? Momentum or experience? Energy or patience? The Penguins or the Red Wings?
If the Pittsburgh Penguins can continue playing like they did in game four they will be a difficult team to beat. At times they did what few thought was possible: they dominated the Red Wings. However, if they slip, even a little, they could be taken out by Detroit.
Special teams will also help decide who is holding the Cup at the end of this series. Pittsburgh’s special teams have performed well. Detroit’s have not. It’s that simple and if it continues Sidney Crosby will be holding hockey’s greatest prize.
Right now it’s still anyone’s game.
Original Image: “Stanley Cup” by Vlastula on Flickr
Rick Moldovanyi is a freelance journalist from Toronto. He covers the Pittsburgh Penguins at Penguins Experience and has written for several publications in the Toronto area.
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Definintely think the schedule benefited the Penguins through the first 4. The Wings looked gassed towards the ends of games 3 and 4. Then again, being down a goal or 2 for most of the game and playing catch up is more exhausting then protecting leads, but still. With the schedule shifting to more time off between games and getting 2 of 3 in Detroit, I like the Wings to defend their title.