NHL / Richard Douglas / 30 May 2009 / Leave a comment

Richard Douglas explains why the 2009 Stanley Cup finalists are different animals this time around...

When you are previewing any rematch, let alone the first repeat Stanley Cup Final in 25 years, there is only one pertinent question to ask - what has changed?

Twelve months ago Detroit Red Wings [1.69] beat Pittsburgh Penguins [2.38] 4-2 in a fiercely-contested but, at the same time, straightforward series.

Now, the boxing fan in me demands that you must back the previous winner in any return clash. Statistically that is a proven fact in the ring.

But team sports have another dynamic. Personnel changes on both sides make the Red Wings and the Penguins very different animals this time around.

Yet can it be enough to alter the balance of power?

The most obvious change between the sides is Marian Hossa. He crossed the ice from Pittsburgh to Detroit after last year's final. It was an acrimonious move given the amount of money he was offered to stay. Ironically enough, Hossa's Stanley Cup performance last year may have convinced the Motown side to make their move.

After Pittsburgh lost Games One and Two, the right-wing rattled up three goals and four assists. You could argue that the Hossa of 2008 is a cut above the man of 2009 but he is still the leading scorer for Detroit this year with 40 goals.

But, in that area, Pittsburgh can more than cover the loss. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are as good if not better than any offensive pairing in the NHL.

The other area of change is the Pittsburgh bench. Coach Dan Bylsma has not put a skate wrong since taking over from Michel Therrien in the middle of February.

The new man has tried to accentuate their positives using a squad of 11 forwards and seven defensemen. It has made Pittsburgh a free-scoring side. That, and the need to start fast this time, makes Over 4.5 goals for Game One very interesting at [1.3].

Twelve months ago, Detroit roared into 2-0 lead, scoring seven goals and conceding none. In effect, it decided the series.

Pittsburgh seemed overawed and unable to cope but rallied strongly later on. A year older and wiser, they could be more of force in the opening games - they have to be if they harbour real ambitions of taking home the big prize for the first time since 1992.

Detroit achieved back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998. Goalie Chris Osgood is a survivor of those wins - though he was bench bound in the earlier year. The stopper remains key for the holders. He has statistically outperformed his opposite number, Marc-Andre Fleury, in every department this season. Given that both sides have averaged roughly the same number of shots per game the ability to stop those efforts could be decisive.

But then there is an ominous feel about the Red Wings overall right now. In March they defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets to become the first team in NHL history to top 100 points in nine straight seasons. As a result they cruised into their 18th consecutive Play-Off campaign.

If, as expected, captain Nicklas Lidstrom recovers from injury to play in Game One that will be a major boost. Especially as Jonathan Ericsson had surgery on his appendix after Game Five of the Western Conference.

Detroit have a machine-like quality to them - efficient, brutal and relentless. Mike Babcock is a coach who has been there, done that and had his face on the T-shirt. In his four-year tenure he has not just built a team but a dynasty.

Despite all that, Pittsburgh are trying to change their luck this time around. After winning the Eastern Conference, Crosby went against years of tradition by grabbing the Prince of Wales Trophy out of the hands of NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly.

Superstition has always dictated that the winning players did not handle the Conference trophy on account that it is not the silverware they really want.

With potentially seven gruelling games ahead, it will take more than good fortune to decide the winners. Detroit are rightly favourites but if Pittsburgh are quicker off the blocks this time it could be very, very, very close.

The market makes 4-3 Detroit the favourite in the correct score [4.5.].

Expect this series to be that tight.