Just to add my piece to the Crosby/Ovechkin debate. The depth of playoff Pittsburgh was substantially greater than the depth of playoff Washington. Washington is a team with a lot of quality, not potential, outright quality. Green was a genuine Norris Trophy candidate, Semin carried a heavy load when Ovechkin was away mourning the passing of a grandparent. Backstrom is quietly developing a real sense of how to break down a top defensive unit with a pass, and guys like Fedorov and Fleischman offer ample secondary scoring. Unfortunately much of those guys struggled to find consistency in the playoffs. To act like Washington is a one man team is ridiculous, but to act like Ovechkin wasn't flying solo for most of the playoffs is just a bit crazy too.
As for Crosby, the guy has unsurpassed puck control, a midas touch when picking a pass, a great habit of getting open and he's damned good in the faceoff circles too. The big three operate in a cycle. In the Pittsburgh-Washington series Crosby and Ovechkin were going toe to toe, over the last few games Malkin has truly exploded into life. The "best" of the three is simply the one who has the most confidence and is getting the lucky breaks at any particular time.
:iagree:
Now onto the Final ...
Pittsburgh are champions elect, accept it. I fucking hate Pittsburgh but the rules are you can't win two in a row. The manky Penguins have it all right now. 87 is a dedicated leader and 71 looks like he wants be one too, that is terrifying. Fleury just outplayed Cam freaking Ward over 4 games and Cam Ward has been unbelievable since Round 1. As a unit they are killing in the faceoff circle, not just Sid either. Jordan Staal molested his brother for all four games at the puck drop. Sure they are playing Detroit, the machine ... but you don't win two in a row.
vs
