Stanley Cup Final

So, Sid the kid and his Penguins are making yet another trip to the Stanley Cup final. And as it looks right now...just over an hour from puck drop...Detroit will probably also be making a return trip to battle it out for the Holy Grail of hockey. I must add that it really is too bad that Chicago hasn't put up much of a fight as of yet against the Wings, but that's the experience problem causing the lacklustre effort. Chicago still does have a chance, and I'm yet to give up on kids of Chicago, but the odds are heavily against them, and not just in the series but this game as well.

Anyway, people are talking about Pittsburgh's added experience as opposed to last year. But, in retrospect, Detroit has just as much added experience. These two teams went through the same experience both this year and last. The only difference? Detroit won the cup! So they'll be thriving off of the momentum from last year's cup final.


Detroit's most impact changes since 08: Addition of Hossa, aging of Chelios, Zetterberg's inconsistent play

Pittsburghs most impactful changes since 08: Addition of Guerin, loss of Hossa, loss of Whitney, added experience on young stars (ie. Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury)

So! Which team has gotten better? From the basics, I'd say Detroit, but the experience added may be the most impactful change. Keep in mind, last year most players on the team had only one year of playoff experience under their belts (lost in Conf. Final in 06-07), but this year they have that EXTRA year...making it to the Final.

Interesting... ...my money's on Pittsburgh. They've got just too much heart, plus, at the beginning of this season, on an NHL commercial, didn't Sid Crosby say "I never want to be in this picture again"? That was an epic commercial, and I'm 100% sure he and his team meant it!