Penguins-Red Wings Stanley Cup Final Preview, Matchup Breakdown, Odds, and Prediction
Finally, it’s here.
No, not the Belmont Stakes odds, silly. With all due respect to horse racing, it’s a fleeting few minutes of excitement.
We’re talking about the Stanley Cup Final odds – the battle for the trophy many online bettors call the hardest to win in professional sports.
This year, we have a much-desired rematch between Detroit and Pittsburgh. Will history repeat itself or will the Penguins dethrone the champs this time?
Penguins vs Red Wings odds
Online sportsbook lines for series: Penguins +135, Red Wings -155
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Red Wings-Penguins Matchup Preview: OFFENSE
It’s extremely tough to pick between two potent offensive units like these, but the difference will probably come down to health. The Kneejerk reaction for puck betting fans is to see the Red Wings offense as superior; with superstars like Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Hossa plus great depth players like Johan Franzen, Tomas Holmstrom and Daniel Clearly, how could Detroit not have the edge? For one, Pavel Datsyuk is playing hurt; with just one goal in 13 playoff games, he’s so hobbled that he may as well be a different player at the moment.
The Penguins’ offense isn’t quite a two-man show, but it’s close, as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin do all the heavy lifting. But NHL odds followers shouldn’t underestimate the impact of having two of the top three offensive players on the planet on one team; they’ve both been men possessed in these playoffs, combining for 26 goals and 56 points in 34 Stanley Cup betting games so far this year. Head coach Dan Bylsma is also double-shifting the stars, almost creating the effect of three or four superstars in the lineup. Worse yet for the Wings, Datsyuk, the best defensive forward in hockey, can’t shut down Sid and Geno like he normally can because of his injuries.
Edge: Penguins
Red Wings-Penguins Matchup Preview: DEFENSE
Big advantage for the Red Wings odds here. The Pens’ group is comprised mainly of grinders, and Sergei Gonchar isn’t fully healthy. Youngsters Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski make too many mistakes. We know Nicklas Lidstrom is a legend but, even if he’s still banged up entering the Stanley Cup Final odds, the Wings have plenty of backup for him. Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart have made headlines laying out any forwards brave enough to cross the blueline and they’ll work hard to scare Crosby and Malkin early in the series.
Edge: Red Wings
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Red Wings-Penguins Matchup Preview: GOALTENDING
Chris Osgood is a polarizing goalie in sports wagering circles; some think he’s an overrated coattail rider who gives up soft goals while others think he’s underappreciated, pointing to the fact that he’s 10th all-time in hockey betting victories. Well, I think the point is moot; whatever you think about Osgood, Fleury is still better. He’s younger, more athletic, and he seems to really enjoy playing under pressure. He’s also good enough to steal a game – something Osgood never does.
Edge: Penguins
Red Wings-Penguins Matchup Preview: SPECIAL TEAMS
Without a fully healthy Sergei Gonchar, the Penguins don’t have the booming presence from the point needed to really make their power play go. Detroit’s power play is absolutely terrifying; it led the league at 25.5 per cent in the regular season and has actually bested that number in playoff hockey betting at 25.7 per cent. The flip side of the coin; the Wings’ penalty killing is awful at just 73.7 per cent in the playoffs, largely because of Datsyuk’s struggles. The Pens have the edge there.
Edge: Even
Red Wings-Penguins Matchup Preview: COACHING
It’s easy to give the Cup-winning Mike Babcock the edge, but we’re talking about who’s better right here, right now. The Penguins are 30-8-4 since Dan Bylsma took over and he’s done a great job mixing up his lines to exploit matchups.
Edge: Even
Red Wings-Penguins Matchup Preview: THE PREDICTION
Think of the Red Wings as the New York Islanders of 25 years ago – a strong dynasty ready to pass the torch to a team it beat the year before. The Penguins are the Edmonton Oilers – a young team that learned from the previous year’s mistakes and that rides two all-world stars to glory. The Wings are banged up and the Penguins have been the best team in puck betting for three months. It’s their time.
Stanley Cup Final odds pick: Penguins in six
Tags: 2009 Stanley Cup, Detroit Red Wings, NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins
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I think that the Wings have got more than you thing going for them and their going to win it. Maybe in seven, but they will win. You have to have faith.
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As a Pens fan I was surprised to see you favor them.
My view is that the back-checking of the Wings forwards is so impressive that it may determine the series. If they can keep up with the speed of the Pens, the Wings can clog up their defensive end and slow the game — to the Pens detriment. Don’t get me wrong. I’d like to see the Pens favored, but I will have to see them beat the back checking of the Wings to believe it.
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ahaa wings have it in the bag.
both teams are tough but the wings are gunna kick there ass and bring it home just like we did last yearrrrr… GOOO WINGS!!!!
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Keep smoking that crack…pens in six? You gotta be kidding me! Crosby is a bitch and as soon as he gets hit he’s a non factor. The Pens have been playing against other bitches in the eastern confrence and now they they have to play against the west where the big boys play (who don’t cry about every call or non call). Wings in 5 even if datsyuk or lidstrom don’t play. I can’t wait for Helm to lay out that bitch-ass Crosby! If the Ducks or the Blackhawks had made it, they would beat the Pens as well. If the refs don’t listen to Bettmen red wings in 4 if they do wings in 5…put that in your pipe and smoke it!
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carl fidler Reply:
June 13th, 2009 at 6:04 am
@spero, hows that feel to your bitch ass redwings team….bitch ass
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The Real Stanley Cup finals was the Redwings against the Ducks…whoever won that series was going to win the cup.
Wings, Sharks or Ducks could beat Penguins this year.
Wings in 6 if they are banged up…Wings in 5 if Datsyuk returns to form
Guess we will have to live with 2 weeks of propaganda about how Cindy Crosby will single handedly beat a deep and talented Wings team…same crap as last year…and they actually PAY these sportswrites to write this stuff ?
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Hey Wingers, if you want to see how to REALLY insult the Pens go to the comments on either the Philadelphia Inquirer or the Washington Post. Both questioned Crosby’s gender and denigrated the rest of the Pens. Go to those papers comments to see how to REALLY post poison comments. And go there to see how the big bad Philly fans and the Caps contingent were soooo sure they were going to dispatch the delicate Pens.
And, while you are there you should also read all of the reasons why neither team prevailed against the mighty penguin. Couldn’t skate with the Pens. Didn’t hit with the Pens. Defenses a step behind. Unable to stop opportunistic counter attacks. Goalies suddenly porous. Poor coaching. NHL conspiracy. Unlucky bounces. Read ‘em and weep Flyers and Caps. Pens ruled.
Be aware too, Wings Fans, that the Pens have been written off as too European for three series. And in each one they have hit harder, skated faster, shot more, and scored more goals than their critics imaginations would allow. They have played better team defense, too.
So don’t be so sure of yourselves — at least entertain the possibility that this year is for real and last year was the fluke.
Pens in five.
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ryan Reply:
June 1st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
@furby,
considering its now 2-0, 3-1 both games, and the wings have effectively stopped both malkin and crosby, and fleury is letting just about anything by, i would say the pens in 6 is a done statement. I think its great that players like Malkin, leading in points, loses his cool because he can’t beat the wings defense. Or that the pens are spearing goalies. And yes, Crosby again whined about calls etc, but you didn’t see him whinning about the cheap shots he was making. Face it, the pens get too frustrated when they are out-classes. They may have some great players, but as a team they are outclassed by the wings.
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foobar Reply:
June 14th, 2009 at 9:26 am
@ryan,
Well, I guess I was a little optimistic, but:
“How you like me now, bitches?”
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pens won!!!!!!!!!!!! a little disappointing though , detroit slacked of
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