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By Josh Brewster, Charles Smith and Dennis Bernstein   (Back to Playoff Main Page)

OVERVIEW:

Could we be headed toward a rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup Final? In measuring Detroit’s success as a franchise, it is interesting to note that if the Wings defeat the Chicago Blackhawks, they will face either the Penguins or the Hurricanes, both of whom they defeated to win a Cup earlier this decade (CAR '02, PIT '08).

When you stop to consider that the 1997 Red Wings (4th in the West) and the 1995 Devils (5th in the East) are the only Cup champions to finish lower than second in their conference, it appears more likely that Detroit will become the 13th team (of 15) since 1993-94 (when the NHL went to its current East/West format) to win the Stanley Cup after finishing either first or second in its conference.

   VS. 

ROUND 3: EASTERN CONF. FINAL
4. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS. 6. CAROLINA HURRICANES

BY JOSH BREWSTER:

HISTORY:

PITTSBURGH PLAYOFF RECORD:

NHL Playoff Appearance: 23rd (third consecutive)

Stanley Cups: 2 (1991, 1992)

All-Time Playoff Series Record: 25-21

All-Time Playoff Game Record: 132-114

CAROLINA PLAYOFF RECORD:

NHL Playoff Appearance: 13th (first since 2006)

Stanley Cups: 1 (2006)

All-Time Playoff Series Record: 10-11

All-Time Playoff Game Record: 59-64

PLAYERS WHO HAVE WON THE CUP:

PIT: Chris Kunitz, Bill Guerin, Petr Sykora, Ruslan Fedotenko, Craig Adams (1 each)

CAR: Eric Staal, Ray Whitney, Rod Brind'Amour, Matt Cullen, Erik Cole, Chad LaRose, Anton Babchuk, Niclas Wallin, Frantisek Kaberle, Cam Ward (1 each)

PREVIEW:

Staal vs. Staal, and what’s more, we’ll probably see them on the ice at the same time, opposing each other, since Jordan of Pittsburgh’s role is shutdown center, which puts him squarely in the sights of his superstar brother, Eric, of Carolina.

The matchup will mark only the fifth time in NHL history that siblings have skated against each other in the conference finals. The last time a brother act such as this occurred was in 1974 - when Phil Esposito's Bruins faced Tony's Blackhawks.

Offense:

Eric Staal of Carolina has reminded the hockey world that he is one of the game’s best players, and a durable, clutch performer. In game seven against New Jersey in round one, he scored the series-winning goal with just 32 ticks of the clock remaining. Staal has missed just one game (Mar. 19, 2004) to injury his entire career -- including playoffs, he has played in 368 consecutive games. Jussi Jokinen has three game winners amongst his six post-season goals. Sergei Samsonov paid back his original club, the Bruins, in round two with four goals.

Pittsburgh features a star-studded roster, and have also gotten contributions from homegrown grinder Tyler Kennedy and trade deadline vet Bill Guerin, who both have 2 game-winners. Sidney Crosby went tit-for-tat with Alex Ovechkin in a memorable round two matchup, scoring 8-5-13 in the seven-game series on 32 shots. Evgeni Malkin has six goals for 19 points this post-season.

Defense:

Sergei Gonchar (2-8-10 in 11GP) remains a question mark after the knee-on-knee hit he suffered at the hands of his buddy Ovechkin. But Mark Eaton has stepped up with four goals and Kris Letang, three.

Carolina’s Joni Pitkanen has seven assists, and Joe Corvo and Tim Gleason have one goal apiece.

Rob Scuderi, Brooks Orpik and Hal Gill round out the defensive crew for the Penguins, and we like the depth charges they supply over what Carolina has with Denis Seidenberg, Anton Babchuk and Nic Wallin.

Goaltending:

CAR: Ward: 2.22GAA, .927SV%

PIT: Fleury: 2.72GAA, .901SV%

Ward has been tremendous this post-season in two seven-game series. He has a Cup. Carolina has an edge here.

PICK: The Penguins are smelling a Cup Final return. The Hurricanes are hoping that their late-season turnaround can continue. Better depth of scoring in Pittsburgh wins out.

PITTSBURGH in 7

BY CHARLES SMITH:

It has come down to this: Sid the Kid and his charges, having conquered Alexander the Great, have but one hurdle standing between themselves and a shot at redemption. To add to the intrigue, it shall now be brother against brother as Eric and Jordan Staal will face each another for the right to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup final.

Carolina has been quite impressive. The 'Canes played in back to back 7 game series' against arguably the two best goaltenders in the conference and lived to tell about it. Both times they captured the critical Game 7 on the road. Hurricanes' Goaltender Cam Ward also seems to have recaptured his 2006 Conn Smythe winning form and his team appears to be on a mission. Although the 'Canes have been great so far, they have yet to face this much offensive firepower. Carolina will not go down easy, and like the warriors they are, they will be carried out on their shields; but carried out they shall be.

PITTSBURGH in 6

BY DENNIS BERNSTEIN

How do you pick against a Carolina team that appears to be a team of destiny? All they've done so far is win two game seven's on the road against two of the league's best goaltenders with a miracle comeback and a goal by Scott Walker (?!?) You pick against them with two words - Sidney Crosby. #87 overcame all the hype and comparisons against Alex Ovechkin in the last series to dominate and control his own game seven road victory. With the stakes now higher, he will take his game to the next level and it's time for Evgeni Malkin to get his act together as well. Marc-Andre Fleury came off a horrible Game 6 performance at home to make a huge save against Ovechkin early in Game 7 to signal he's ready for whatever the Canes throw at home. Even though Sergei Gonchar's one-legged, the Penguins have enough juice to return to the Finals.

PITTSBURGH in 6

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