Who Will Win the 2008 Stanley Cup?

The playoffs have started and there are a few front runners for this year's Stanley Cup. Even after the first round the eventual Stanley Cup winner needs to win 12 more games. This trophy is the most coveted in all of sports. How many times do you see the Vince Lombardi trophy in commercials? How about the NBA or MLB trophies? Pretty much zero. There is something magical about the Stanley Cup. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that each person on the team gets to spend 24 hours with the Cup. Sixteen teams started the quest for the 2008 Stanley Cup, only one will win it. Here's my breakdown of each team in the order they finished (East versus West):

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Detroit Red Wings - They won the President's Trophy for the best regular season record. Detroit has a ton of talent shored up by the future Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom and great goal-tending in Dominik Hasek. The series stands 2-1 with the Red Wings ahead. However, I think there is a weakness in depth. To me this is one team that can beat you any day of the week but when a seven game series comes to town all bets are off. Hasek looks a little shaky here and there. My prediction is that the Wings will advance past the pesky Predators but in six or seven games. Then they will be eliminated handily in the next round.

San Jose Sharks - Another team that looks good on paper but will disappoint in the playoffs. They have one of the best players in the world in Joe Thornton and a great goalie who just might have played too many games this season. Calgary is feisty and up 2-1 in their series. I honestly think the Sharks are in for another early playoff exit. Then the heads will roll as everyone in the front office is axed. Look for some big trades this off season, for example Jonathan Cheechoo on the move to the east.

Minnesota Wild - The Washington Capitals of the west. This team is speedy and a handful for the Colorado Avalanche. They are up 2-1 in the series. Minnesota is a great hockey town and that crowd is as close to a 6th man as possible. I just don't see them pulling off the win versus Colorado. I think the Wild lose in seven games.

Anaheim Ducks - Whoa! Looks like someone lost their way and can't get on track. No matter how many players they bring out of retirement the Ducks just aren't going to beat the Stars. The team has some problems with offense. The D is great and it's a shame Selanne and Niedermayer came back for nothing. Unfortunately this team should be more focused on its younger players not the ones in quasi-retirement. Getzlaf is a fine player along with Corey Perry. Those players are the future of the Ducks. They are down 2-0 and should lose is six games.

Dallas Stars - The Brad Richards pick up should be paying dividends right about now. Dallas not only will beat Anaheim but they will be the team that goes to the Cup on the West. The Stars have seriously underrated players and a superstar that gets no recognition in Mike Modano. Look for them to dance all the way to the Cup. They are up 2-0 versus the former Mighty Ducks.

Colorado Avalanche - A good team suffering a little bit due to injuries and an identity problem similar to Anaheim. Forsberg is a decent addition and not a risk at all. Colorado will make it past the first round due to one man's desire and will. Joe Sakic won't let this team lose. The Avalanche may be down 2-1 versus the Wild but look for a great series that has already seen two OT games.

Calgary Flames - Up 2-1 versus the much hyped San Jose Sharks. This team will eventually lose to Dallas in the Western Conference finals. The Flames have the gritty players with determination which will go a long way. What they don't have is offensive depth which will be the death of them. Look for some big numbers by Jarome Iginla.

Nashville Predators - Down 2-1 against the mighty Red Wings. I watched a good deal of the game they won last night. The Predators have a decent squad and barely scraped by to get in the playoffs. They will show some chinks in Detroit's armor but will fall in 6 games. I just hope the fans appreciate the team and continue the support I saw last night.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Montreal Canadiens - Finally the Canadiens grab the top spot in the East. Carey Price is the real deal in net. Montreal currently has a 2-1 edge over the lowly Bruins. From what I can tell it looks like the Canadiens will fell the upstart Bruins but after that they themselves will fall. Alexi Kovalev is having one heck of year but having Koivu out of the lineup will hurt.

Pittsburgh Penguins - A great team in the making. It took five straight years of losing and five really good draft picks to make this team but they are the real deal. The Pens have a commanding 3-0 lead over the Ottawa Senators. This team is deep and built to win the Cup this year not next. The list of talent goes on and on. Even role players have big names on this team. Sorry folks but the Pittsburgh Penguins will win the Cup this year and next. The only problems the Pens face is the salary cap.

Washington Capitals - Alexander Ovechkin. Enough said. The Caps are much more than a one trick pony but it's hard to look past Alex the Great. The series is tied 1-1 after an unusually quiet game from OV. Mike Green is a standout and almost as important to the team as Ovechkin, look for a long term contract for him this summer (I say in the neighborhood of 8-11 years, he's that good). What the caps lack is Chris Clark who could lead this team deep as the Cinderella story. I believe the Capitals will smite the Flyers only to fall the next round.

New Jersey Devils - Martin Brodeur. Enough said. Unfortunately the Devils lack the depth of the Caps and will fall to the Rangers in the first round. The Devils are down 2-1 and will fall in six games. New Jersey desperately needs a solid defenseman to replace the gap left years ago when Stevens and Niedermayer both left. Nice arena though.

New York Rangers - This team looks fantastic on paper. But obviously looks can be deceiving. The Rangers lead 2-1 and should polish off the Devils this round. With a lineup like that why is this team so anemic when it comes to scoring goals? No clue but look for the Rangers to fold in the next round and look for Jagr to depart to Russia in the off season.
Philadelphia Flyers - I like Mike Richards, a good solid player. Besides him there are some other good players on the team. Beyond the second line though is kind of iffy. The series with Washington is tied 1-1 but look for the Flyers to lose it around game 4. Signing Prospal in the off season and shoring up some defense issues could help this team. That and keeping the cheap shots at a minimum.

Ottawa Senators - This team is truly lucky to have made the playoffs. Behind 3-0 against the Penguins, the Sens have no hope. The meltdown of this club started before the playoffs even began. There is so much wrong with this club that it will be a miracle if they make the playoffs next year. My bonehead award goes to Bryan Murray for letting Daniel Alfredsson play when he's obviously too hurt to play. This team needs a thorough cleaning and a new goalie.

Boston Bruins - This team on paper should not have made the playoffs but here they are. A great story and with the win over the weekend are down 2-1. I predict the Bruins will win the next home game and then that's all folks. The fans should be super happy and with a few key signings next year this team could go much deeper. Zedno Chara is the man, the anchor.

Sixteen teams started the playoffs and only one team will win the Stanley Cup. This year it will be the Penguins and next year too (assuming they can lock up Makin to a long term deal). Either way playoff hockey is here. Enjoy the games and root for your teams. The Stanley Cup is unlike any trophy is sports and is the reason why hockey is on the map.