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5 Reasons why the Penguins will win the Cup...
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1. Team Defense The Penguins’ defensive unit has gone under the radar all playoffs long. They’re giving up just less than two goals a game, and are even more remarkable at home. Pittsburgh’s giving up a whopping average of 1.6 goals a game at the friendly confines of The Igloo. They’ve got great balance of youth and experience, too. Gonchar and Hal Gill are the older and wiser ones, and Letang and Whitney are just scratching the surface. There’s no reason this unit will slow down in the Finals versus the Red Wings.
2. Marc-Andre Fleury Fleury has developed into one of the best goaltenders in the NHL in these playoffs. He has played his best while under the most pressure. Fleury is 12-2 with a 1.70 GAA. He also holds the best save percentage in the postseason (.938 SV%). The 23-year-old netminder is a big reason why the Pens have rolled through the Eastern Conference. I can’t see him faltering on the big stage like some other young goalies have.
3. 87 & 71 Super-duper stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin anchor the Pens’ top two lines, and have become the faces of the franchise this season. Both are in the top five in points this postseason, along with their teammate Marian Hossa. Crosby leads the playoffs with 17 assists, and Malkin has scored some huge goals. The strength of these two are enough to override the Wings’ defensive prowess in this series. They also make the players around them better. Ryan Malone is suddenly a household name ever since he was put on Malkin’s line. Hossa is finally fighting off his playoff demons playing alongside Crosby. 87 & 71 are the two numbers that Detroit coach Mike Babcock needs to focus on over the next couple weeks.
4. The Igloo Pittsburgh has won every game they’ve played at home this postseason. The old arena has witnessed many great moments in these playoffs. The Pens have won in every which way possible at The Igloo. Coming back from a 3-0 deficit, blowing a lead and prevailing, blowing out their opponent in a clinching game, and winning a see-saw battle. It doesn’t look like the Penguins will be losing anytime soon wearing their black sweaters.
5. The ‘it’ factor As I said before, the Pens have had many great moments this playoff season. Crosby and Malkin are the best 1-2 punch in the league. Fleury is living up to his #1 draft pick. Their role players are playing beyond expectations. They just have ‘it’. It’s hard for me to describe. But there’s always that one team that has ‘it’ when you get into mid-May. The Hurricanes and Ducks had ‘it’ the last two years, and the Pens have it this year.
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WWGRD...Go Pens.