THE FATHER LIFE | the men's magazine for today's fathers

Stanley Cup Finals Preview

By: Nick Henry
May 23, 2008

Cue the conspiracy theorists.

Though they'd never admit it, a Detroit vs. Pittsburgh final is ideal for the NHL. You have an "Original Six" team, replete with wily, much-decorated veterans on one side. And you have THE marquee star – and his (Don't Call Us A) Supporting Cast – representing some of the best young talent the league has ever seen on the other.

You've got two blue-collar towns – which ought to appeal to the swing staters from whom the NHL is constantly trying to pry loose some of the attention paid to the NASCARs and NFLs of the world.

You've got alumni tie-ins to some of the greatest hockey players ever to walk the earth (Howe, Yzerman, Lemieux); and, perhaps more in the way of an object lesson to other teams, you've got two teams that made it to the top not as a result of fiscal largess but by drafting well and developing better (you know, the old fashioned way – earning it).

There's more than enough talent on both sides, but where the Penguins are the younger Red Bull and Jager type of talent, the Red Wings are a more sophisticated Silver Oak Cabernet. Will experience and guile trump youthful exuberance and innocence? And just who is the underdog in this series, anyway?

Pittsburgh needed only fourteen games to dispatch with the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, respectively. Even though they're such a young team, playing only two games more than the minimum to this point can only be a positive. The interesting thing about the Pens so far has been their ability to win in so many different ways - and with so many different people playing key roles.

We all know about Sidney Crosby, but Evgeny "Geno" Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Jordan Staal, Marian Hossa, Pascal Dupuis, Gary Roberts, Maxime Talbot, Ryan Malone, Sergei Gonchar, and Hal Gill have also all contributed to the effort. They can play a tighter defensive game, or a wide open skating game. They're hitting on all cylinders and, barring injury, they are really poised to continue their run right into the Finals.

The key for the Penguins will be to play with poise, because you know the Red Wings won't be intimidated or over-hyped by the glitter of the Finals. The Pens have the skill to play with the Wings. Whether or not they have the maturity is the salient question.

As for Detroit, yes there's a lack of depth in scoring, but this is a team that makes you work so hard for every inch that you get the feeling they, more than anyone else in the league, can compensate for it. The week off absolutely helped the Wings more than it helped Pens (take that all you "The NHL wants Crosby to win" conspiracy theorists), so I don't think the Wings' AARP qualifications will be a factor.

The key for Detroit is to play the boa constrictor, play patient hockey, and make the Penguins pay dearly for any and every mistake.

The Finals could either be a lesson in humility or a classic example of youth being served. Either way, it's Happy Hour for hockey fans!

Nick Henry is the father of two little girls. He grew up in the Midwest, went to college on the east coast, ran around Colorado for a few years and has since settled in Rochester, New York. A music major in college, Nick chose the financial industry for his "day job." He enjoys playing, watching, and writing about hockey and sports in general. His work can also be seen at http://hittingthepost.blogspot.com.


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Stanley Cup Finals Preview By: Nick Henry May 23, 2008 Cue the conspiracy theorists. Though they'd never admit it, a Detroit vs. Pittsburgh final is ideal for the NHL. You have an "Original Six" team, replete with wily, much-decorated veterans on one side. And you have THE marquee star – and his (Don't Call Us A) Supporting Cast – representing some of the best young talent the league has ever seen on the other. You've got two blue-collar towns – which ought to appeal to the swing staters from whom the NHL is constantly trying to pry loose some of the attention paid to the NASCARs and NFLs of the world. You've got alumni tie-ins to some of the greatest hockey players ever to walk the earth (Howe, Yzerman, Lemieux); and, perhaps more in the way of an object lesson to other teams, you've got two teams that made it to the top not as a result of fiscal largess but by drafting well and developing better (you know, the old fashioned way – earning it). There's more than enough talent on both sides, but where the Penguins are the younger Red Bull and Jager type of talent, the Red Wings are a more sophisticated Silver Oak Cabernet. Will experience and guile trump youthful exuberance and innocence? And just who is the underdog in this series, anyway? Pittsburgh needed only fourteen games to dispatch with the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, respectively. Even though they're such a young team, playing only two games more than the minimum to this point can only be a positive. The interesting thing about the Pens so far has been their ability to win in so many different ways - and with so many different people playing key roles. We all know about Sidney Crosby, but Evgeny "Geno" Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, Jordan Staal, Marian Hossa, Pascal Dupuis, Gary Roberts, Maxime Talbot, Ryan Malone, Sergei Gonchar, and Hal Gill have also all contributed to the effort. They can play a tighter defensive game, or a wide open skating game. They're hitting on all cylinders and, barring injury, they are really poised to continue their run right into the Finals. The key for the Penguins will be to play with poise, because you know the Red Wings won't be intimidated or over-hyped by the glitter of the Finals. The Pens have the skill to play with the Wings. Whether or not they have the maturity is the salient question. As for Detroit, yes there's a lack of depth in scoring, but this is a team that makes you work so hard for every inch that you get the feeling they, more than anyone else in the league, can compensate for it. The week off absolutely helped the Wings more than it helped Pens (take that all you "The NHL wants Crosby to win" conspiracy theorists), so I don't think the Wings' AARP qualifications will be a factor. The key for Detroit is to play the boa constrictor, play patient hockey, and make the Penguins pay dearly for any and every mistake. The Finals could either be a lesson in humility or a classic example of youth being served. Either way, it's Happy Hour for hockey fans! Nick Henry is the father of two little girls. He grew up in the Midwest, went to college on the east coast, ran around Colorado for a few years and has since settled in Rochester, New York. A music major in college, Nick chose the financial industry for his "day job." He enjoys playing, watching, and writing about hockey and sports in general. His work can also be seen at http://hittingthepost.blogspot.com.