The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs will be as usual, the epitome of the NHL season, and like last year, when the Anaheim Ducks became the first West Coast team to carry the Cup since the inception of the NHL in 1917, I see another worthy team coming forward to claim Lord Stanley's mug. In the Eastern Conference, three teams stand out. The offensively explosive Ottawa Senators, the young Pittsburgh Penguins and defensive minded New Jersey Devils. Ottawa has so much firepower that when it fizzles on some nights, the defense of the Sens and the shaky goal tending play of Ray Emery leaves them vulnerable. Thankfully, they don't have the Buffalo Sabres to fight off this season, and Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the Rangers will beat each other up before any playoff meeting with the mighty Senators. Montreal is a disciplined, veteran club, but the Habs are two years away from sustained success in the playoffs. As of now, just after the All Star game in Atlanta, I see the Ottawa Senators to represent the Eastern Conference just as they did last season, and maybe with better results.

The Western Conference is wild and woolly. So many good teams with only one great one. San Jose, Dallas, Anaheim, Calgary, Colorado, Minnesota and Vancouver all could represent the West this season, but that berth will be determined by the Detroit Red Wings, who after last season's disappointing Western Finals loss to Anaheim, reloaded and refocused themselves for another banner to hang high in Joe Louis Arena. The Wings are solid in goal and have an excellent defense led by multiple Norris Trophy winner, Niklas Lidstrom. Up front, Detroit has a bevy of skilled forwards and checkers to score and keep the other teams off the board. Coach Mike Babcock has assembled an all star team and looks to make history with another Finals visit.

An Ottawa-Detroit Finals will be heaven for the television markets in the U.S. and Canada. With two exemplary teams representing two hockey hotbeds, a Sens-Wings final should go seven games and probably with a few overtimes as well. Look for Ottawa to slip by the strong Red Wings in a seven game thriller that will rank as an all time classic Stanley Cup Finals series.

Learn more about this author, Stephan Stavseth.
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