Conference Finals

Sidney Crosby is 20, Evgeni Malkin is 21, Jordan Staal is 19, and Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is 23 and developing into one of the finest net minders in the NHL. The question is not if the Penguins will go to the Stanley Cup Finals, but how many times will they go and how many times will they win it. The latter question won’t be answered for another round, but the first question will start tallying in quick order as the Flyers will provided little resistance to the growing juggernaut in the steel city of Pittsburgh, an new arena is being built to replace the Igloo, it may need a large trophy case for the Penguins to make it this far this fast and to have the momentum they have could be the dawning of a new dynasty, as they blitz their Keystone State neighbors in five games.

The play of Marty Turco has been the story of the playoffs in the Western Conference as the goalie who has often disappeared in the playoffs has been front and center in the Stars surprise run to the Conference Finals, highlighted by his 60-Save game in four overtimes as they beat the San Jose Sharks in six games. They have knocked off the defending champs and the best team in the second half, now they must knock off the team that has been the best in hockey all season, and this team looks like its heating up at the right time with Johan Franzen coming off an unreal 9-goal performance in their four game dominant sweep of the Colorado Avalanche. Look for this series to be a war, as the Stars give the Red Wings all they could handle. However, the championship mettle of the Wings and home ice will be the difference as they survive in seven games.