The First of Many "Expert" Predictions

by FrankD on May 21, 2008 3:45 PM EDT

As expected right around the final series of the year, all of the experts come out of the woodwork. Well Ross McKeon of Yahoo has been no stranger to voicing his concerns this season and has done so again for the Penguins vs Red Wings series. Penguins fans be warned: you're not going to like what he has to say.

Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to win a Stanley Cup. You can bet your bottom dollar on it. It’s a lock, a sure thing, guaranteed.

But it just isn’t going to happen this year. Not against this group of Detroit Red Wings. So with all due respect to the Penguins, and the late, great Herb Brooks, this is not your time.

Ross McKeon

Yahoo Sports

Ouch - talk about a kick in the pads on that one.

I supposed McKeon believes that age will win before beauty. And also just like to say, in McKeon's defense, he has already stated he has no allegiance to any team in hockey, nor does he have anything against the Penguins. I find it hard to believe he is a general fan of the sport without having at least SOME favoritism towards a team, but I do admire his ability to just come right out and say it in this context.

The Red Wings are ripe with veterans, as anyone who has looked at the roster and seen birthdates in the early 70s could conclude. But some would even say the Penguins, with their younger and hungrier, faster and equally skilled roster of talent, can surpass Detroit in age alone. Certainly something to consider.

I don't want to just go about recapping McKeon's predictions, so how about this: give it a read, check it out, and let's discuss the pros and cons for each team in this series. If you disagree with what he says, back it up. If you agree, tell me why.

I'm sure there are other predictions out there as well, so if you come across them shoot em up on the fanpost feature or comment with links. Let's get a nice Stanley Cup Finals prediction gauge going.

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Comments

I for one think it will be a good series, and I’ve seen more experts picking the Pens than Detroit.

IMO it comes down to goal tending as the teams are fairly evenly matched. If Fleury can stay sharp and Osgood gets worn out the Penguins should win it. My prediction is Pens in 6 games.

by JDMaker1 on May 22, 2008 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

That’s definitely a possibility with Osgood. But you also have to remember if he gets hurt or isn’t playing up to par, the Wings can just turn around and put the equally intimidating Dominik Hasek in net. I suppose between the pipes the Wings have more depth. As good as Conklin was back in December/January, I think he’d buckle under playoff pressure.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on May 22, 2008 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Osgood couldn’t be playing better. He’s 12 years older than Fleury, so I wonder if he’ll be looking across the ice and seeing a younger version of himself playing. I’m confident Fleury will hold his own though. The D has been great around him too, but that is also a strong point for the Wings. I agree with JDMaker1 – this is an evenly matched series.

by PensFanJohn on May 22, 2008 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Equally intimidating Hasek? I’m not sure if I agree, he’s not playing now for a reason . . . and he is old, real old. I don’t think he is bad by any means, but Osgood as just been on fire. So it’s hard to be as intimidated by someone who was the regular season starter and then got yanked.

by JDMaker1 on May 23, 2008 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh he’s definitely up there in years, no doubt. And this could very well be his last season (or he could do the Belfour to Sweden/Europe move).

Perhaps – but if you had to pick between Conklin or Hasek as a backup, who would you rather have? The guy who got his break in the NHL this season, or the guy who has plenty of seasons behind him and a few cups? I think Hasek still has good games left to play and I just hope he doesn’t decide to do it in this series should the Wings pull Ozzie. Even still, the Wings had the biggest one-two punch this season with these guys in net. Lowest GAA and SV% for a large part of the season. Detroit actually finished first in the league in goals against per game and second in goals allowed in a 5 on 5 situation.

In any case I’m sure we can both agree that, unless injury should strike either goalie, we won’t see a backup between the pipes.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on May 23, 2008 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions