Penguins and Red Wings on a Collision Course to Meet in the Stanley Cup Finals Again

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings have been the two best hockey teams in the 2009 NHL playoffs. Both teams are currently in a Conference Final match-up against different teams. The Penguins are currently facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final and hold a 2-0 series lead, while the Red Wings are playing the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Final, and are holding a 2-1 series lead. Both the Red Wings and the Penguins are only two wins away from meeting in a Stanley Cup rematch.

To get to where they are now, the Penguins had to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in six games and the Washington Capitals in seven games. The Red Wings swept through the Columbus Blue Jackets in four games and beat the Anaheim Ducks in seven games.

The last time the Penguins and Red Wings faced off against each other in the playoffs was in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. The Red Wings won that series in six exciting games, including one that went to three overtimes. The Red Wings won the first two games, outscoring the Penguins 7-0. The Penguins came back to win Game 3 with two goals from Sidney Crosby but these would be the only two goals Crosby would score in the Finals. Detroit came back to win Game 4 because of a third period goal. Game 5 was the best one of the series as the Penguins won a must-win game, scoring in triple-overtime and forcing a sixth game. But in that sixth game, the Red Wings dominated and won it by a score of 3-2. Games 3 to 6 were decided by only one goal. The series win gave the Red Wings their eleventh Stanley Cup in franchise history.

A rematch between these two great teams is just what NHL needs. The 2008 Stanley Cup Finals received strong ratings and were definitely up from previous Stanley Cup finals. Game one of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals had a 1.8 rating in the United States, drawing 2.3 million viewers. The rating was a 157% increase over the previous Playoff Finals opener, and a 100% rise from two years previous. According to NBC, the Game 6 clincher drew a 4.4 overnight rating and a 7 share on the network. This was the most watched NHL game since Game 7 in 2003. Every single game of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals saw an increase from the years previous.

It could also be argued that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings are better teams than last year's version. The Penguins are getting more production from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin (22 goals combined in the playoffs), as well as better goal tending by Marc-Andre Fleury. The Red Wings are a better all-around team and have one of the best goaltenders in Chris Osgood.

A Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Rematch could be one for the ages.