Stanley Cup Finals Around the Corner

May 29, 2009 - Written by Glen

The end of the NHL season is at hand. May 30th marks the first game of the Stanley Cup Finals, pitting the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the Detroit Red Wings. For those that follow hockey, you will remember last year had the same match up during the final games of the NHL year. The Finals ended in game six with four wins to Detroit, including two shut outs, and two wins to the Penguins.

This years playoffs stuck the penguins under heavy fire, at least in the beginning. The Penguins, when going against the Washington Capitals, were not expected to win. This set of games created a high priority conflict, the Crosby-Ochevkin stand off. The Penguins came out on top, advancing the brackets, to face the Carolina Hurricanes. They demolished the Hurricanes with an undefeated four game triumph. Now the Penguins, led by Coach Bylsma and Sidney Crosby, backed by Marc-Andre Fleury and the intrepid Sergai Gonchar, will face Detroit head on and attempt to break through their impregnable defense.

The Red Wings are one of the original six teams of the NHL. They have won more Stanley Cup championships than any other hockey team. They have the longest streak of post-season appearances of any professional sport in America, having been in play offs for the last 18 years. The post-season has only had four losses for the Red Wings, and they are going into the Finals with a strong home rink advantage.

The stakes and spirits are high, and this Stanley Cup has heavy weight upon it. The Penguins, having lost last year, want to come back and take the Cup. They even lost a player to the Red Wings, Marian Hossa. Marian Hossa claimed to want the cup, precipitating his move to the Wings. The first game is this Saturday, and it is bound to be a good one.