But Sid the Kid isn’t the only star who will be out. Teammate Evgeni Malkin is almost, if not just as good as Crosby. And the Red Wings have more than their fair share of big names. This is a team that has Dominek Hasek as a backup goaltender! Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Chris Osgood lead Detroit’s effort. In his preview of the series ESPN.com writer Scott Burnside even went so far as to say that Lidstrom “will make his case as the greatest defenseman of all time before he's done.” Unfortunately, Mr. Burnside, Nicklas has to get through these two gentlemen:
And not too many people got through either of those guys.
Anyway, both defenses will be challenged in this series. Detroit is slightly better at possessing the puck, which might be their gameplan when Crosby and Malkin are on the ice. But Pittsburgh is slightly better at taking advantage of one bad pass or one good check. Both net minders have been great in the post-season, but I’d give a slight edge to Osgood. Detroit is missing an important man in Johan Franzen, who’s out with concussion like symptoms, and may or may not return. Franzen had been their biggest goal scoring threat in the playoffs.
I think this will be a great series. But I picked Detroit to win it all a few weeks ago, so I’m sticking with them. Red Wings in 7.
-The Commodore
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