05-29-09, 11:08 AM
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#1
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Philosophy Frog
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Pittsburgh Penguins to upset Detroit Red Wings (Article)
Pittsburgh Penguins to upset Detroit Red Wings
The stage has been set for a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Finals; the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is the first time since 1984 that the same two teams have met in the finals in back to back seasons. Last year the Red Wings won this series in six games, but the Penguins have come a long way since then, and I expect them to have their names engraved in the Cup this time around.
There is no doubt that Detroit is an excellent team, and they are arguably the better team on paper in this series. But this notion that they are invincible or in a league of their own that some fans and bettors seem to have make no sense to me. In their first series against Columbus, Detroit was obviously not only the better team but facing a team that was overwhelmed to even having made the playoffs. In their last series against Chicago, Detroit ended up winning with what looked like a pretty easy series final of 4-1; but in actuality three of the five games went to overtime and game one was tied in the third period before Detroit ran away with it. Only game four was a convincing blowout victory, and that was due to the fact that Cristobal Huet was making his first start of the playoffs and clearly had a lot of rust. In the end, Detroit’s experience was the difference maker in those close games, as they have been playing in these big time playoff games for over a decade now while the Blackhawks were in their first playoff berth in quite a while.
But have we forgotten the series sandwiched in between? The series where an eighth seeded Anaheim Ducks team that was experienced and confident and defensively responsible and not coming off of long playoff droughts like Chicago and Columbus actually pushed Detroit to seven games? Game seven was tied until Daniel Cleary scored the go-ahead goal with three minutes left on the clock. One bounce the other way and we are likely talking about a Ducks Penguins final right about now.
Detroit is not invincible, and they are not unbeatable.
The last time that two teams met in back to back Stanley Cup Finals series was back in the early 80’s when the veteran New York Islanders faced the young up-and-coming Edmonton Oilers. The first time around, the Islanders beat the young Oilers. Wayne Gretzky once said that walking past that locker room and seeing how beat up that Islanders team was made him realize what it took to win the Stanley Cup. Finesse and talent wasn’t enough; you had to leave everything on the line. They learned that the hard way.
The following year in their return to the Finals, the Oilers prevailed, ending the Islanders’ dynasty and starting one of their own.
The comparisons from this series over two decades ago are uncanny. Detroit plays the role of the veteran dynasty. Edmonton’s two young stars, Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, were being heralded as two future hall-of-famers destined for a dynasty of their own. Pittsburgh’s version is led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who draw the exact same hype.
Last year Detroit won this series in six games. I believe that Pittsburgh will be mentally tougher this year and will do what it takes to prevail. Both Crosby and Malkin appear to be in top form, tied for first in the playoffs with 28 points each. Since making the head coaching change to Dan Bylsma mid season, the Penguins are 30-8-4 overall including this playoff run. Players like Chris Kunitz and Bill Guerin may not have the star power of a Marian Hossa, but they have the grit and have both won Stanley Cups before, and they can help show the rest of the young Penguins what it takes.
Prediction: Penguins in 6
Betting Strategy: Penguins series price at +140, and bet them individual games on the money line.
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05-29-09, 11:15 AM
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#2
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somewhat restricted user
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30-8-4 pretty impressive...
what were the scores in the 6 games last year?
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05-29-09, 01:53 PM
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#3
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SBR File Clerk
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I'll be rooting for the Pens.
__________________
But you have to remember that a worm...with very few exceptions...is not a human being.
- - - Dr. Frederick Frankenstein
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05-29-09, 02:03 PM
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#4
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ok mr jinx....how is that santoro curse coming along?
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05-29-09, 02:33 PM
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#5
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SBR Resident Drunk
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Go PENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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05-29-09, 03:32 PM
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#6
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Philosophy Frog
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyers09
ok mr jinx....how is that santoro curse coming along?
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Everyone else has gotten over that... I've been doing fine  . |
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05-29-09, 03:41 PM
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#7
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I am faster than 80% of all snakes!
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I don't see it as an upset
They should be the favorite
__________________
Whenever I’m about to do something, I think “would an idiot do that?” and if they would, I do not do that thing.
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05-29-09, 03:59 PM
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#8
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Detroit Red Wings Alum
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DwightShrute
I don't see it as an upset
They should be the favorite
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05-29-09, 04:04 PM
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#9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VegasDave
But this notion that they are invincible or in a league of their own that some fans and bettors seem to have make no sense to me.
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I don't get it either.
Nice writeup, Dave. |
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05-29-09, 04:18 PM
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#10
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Smart Gambling is profitable
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Nice Dave, I am with you here. 
__________________
Pimike's Win Percentage
MLB 66.50% | 133-67-7 FINAL
NFL 82.35% | 28-6-1
NHL 85.25% | 15-3
NCCAF 78.57% | 14-3
NCCAB 50% 3-3
NBA 8-2 + 6.70 I Hate NBA
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05-29-09, 05:08 PM
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#11
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the santoro curse just screwed all you guys who r on the pens..
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05-29-09, 05:25 PM
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#12
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I am faster than 80% of all snakes!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deuce
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__________________
Whenever I’m about to do something, I think “would an idiot do that?” and if they would, I do not do that thing.
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05-29-09, 05:29 PM
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#13
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Philosophy Frog
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyers09
the santoro curse just screwed all you guys who r on the pens..
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NHL Conference Finals Preview (Article)
Had both the Wings and the Pens... like I said, everyone has moved on, don't be the kid in class that keeps telling the joke that everyone has already gotten over |
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05-29-09, 06:59 PM
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#14
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BandWagonPick.com
__________________
2. BeatTheJerk 250-222-3 +31.54 on the SBR Best Bet Thread.
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05-29-09, 07:02 PM
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#15
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I tend to think it's a pretty Ev series so plus money on Pitt seems good.
__________________
“Excellence that feels it has to be proclaimed, by the mere fact of its proclamation admits the doubt of its existence.” – CleoMae Dungy ...
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05-29-09, 07:32 PM
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#16
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Philosophy Frog
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeatTheJerk
BandWagonPick.com
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What does that even mean? |
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05-29-09, 08:04 PM
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#17
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You know what it means Dave, don't mock me .................
__________________
2. BeatTheJerk 250-222-3 +31.54 on the SBR Best Bet Thread.
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05-29-09, 10:25 PM
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#18
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you guys are dreaming. the ducks scared the shit out of the wings. so they went to 3 overtime games. who ended up winning 2 of them?? right..detriot.
wings will be there when it counts. cindy won't.
pitt beat carolina. the canes shouldn't have even been there. the caps had no goaltending. how is pittsburgh so much better??
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05-29-09, 10:31 PM
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#19
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pengs in 6, should be even series even though pengs lost hossa to wings
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05-29-09, 11:20 PM
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#20
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Philosophy Frog
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeatTheJerk
You know what it means Dave, don't mock me .................
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I don't mean to mock you... but I've been a life long hockey fan and have made a prediction on every series along the way. After assessing this series, I decided that Pittsburgh was the pick. What does that have to do with a bandwagon? Because other people are on it as well? |
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05-29-09, 11:42 PM
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#21
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Detroit Red Wings Alum
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Dave, wanna make an avatar bet on the series? If Wings win, you have to sport a Chris Osgood avatar for a week, I will do the same with Crosby for a week if Pens win. Deal?
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05-29-09, 11:57 PM
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#22
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wings roll
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05-30-09, 12:37 AM
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#23
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Steelers + Penguins = Pittsburgh "City of Champions" Once Again!
Pirates, get your shit together! 
__________________
"Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back." - Babe Ruth
Quote:
Originally Posted by obamaismyuncle
Clearly their is an uneducated person around us here at SBR.
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05-30-09, 12:56 AM
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#24
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Smart Gambling is profitable
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shortstop
Steelers + Penguins = Pittsburgh "City of Champions" Once Again!
Pirates, get your shit together! |
I'm with ya shortstop, if only Pirates could put a team together.
Lived there most of my life big time Pittsburgh fan for life.
__________________
Pimike's Win Percentage
MLB 66.50% | 133-67-7 FINAL
NFL 82.35% | 28-6-1
NHL 85.25% | 15-3
NCCAF 78.57% | 14-3
NCCAB 50% 3-3
NBA 8-2 + 6.70 I Hate NBA
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05-30-09, 02:57 AM
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#25
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the meaning of harm
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I'm not going to argue with you too much since I was so wrong about Carolina. At times Detroit hasn't looked as strong as last year. What's going on with Datsuyk? My impression is Detroit should still be a 1-2 fav.
__________________
bird bird da bird's da word
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05-30-09, 03:00 AM
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#26
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angels
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nice was born and raised in the burgh i would love be city of champs again GO PENS
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05-30-09, 03:58 AM
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#27
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vd you r the number 2 band wagon hopper, paco is the leader
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05-30-09, 10:05 AM
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#28
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somewhat restricted user
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Is chelios gonna get to dress at all?
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05-30-09, 10:07 AM
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#29
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somewhat restricted user
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I just don't want the Pens to get shut out the first two games again this year....
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05-30-09, 10:39 AM
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#30
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Philosophy Frog
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deuce
Dave, wanna make an avatar bet on the series? If Wings win, you have to sport a Chris Osgood avatar for a week, I will do the same with Crosby for a week if Pens win. Deal?
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Sure thing Deuce sounds good |
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05-30-09, 11:19 AM
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#31
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Philosophy Frog
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyers09
vd you r the number 2 band wagon hopper, paco is the leader
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I'm a life long die hard Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Kings fan; neither has won a championship in my life time and both are among the shittiest teams in their respective leagues right now.
I'm about the farthest from a bandwagon hopper on this board. |
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05-30-09, 12:06 PM
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#32
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DRW,take opener!  |
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05-30-09, 02:20 PM
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#33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VegasDave
I'm a life long die hard Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Kings fan; neither has won a championship in my life time and both are among the shittiest teams in their respective leagues right now.
I'm about the farthest from a bandwagon hopper on this board.
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the nhl looks down on certain teams, and la kings r one of them,. and will prolly never win a championship ever again, same with my flyers
and i know u r not a hopper just busting balls |
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05-30-09, 03:45 PM
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#34
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I am faster than 80% of all snakes!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyers09
the nhl looks down on certain teams, and la kings r one of them,. and will prolly never win a championship ever again, same with my flyers
and i know u r not a hopper just busting balls
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Flyers will be there again
kings have a lot of good young players that are developing and should dramatically improve over the next couple years.
__________________
Whenever I’m about to do something, I think “would an idiot do that?” and if they would, I do not do that thing.
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05-30-09, 04:11 PM
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#35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyers09
the nhl looks down on certain teams, and la kings r one of them,. and will prolly never win a championship ever again, same with my flyers
and i know u r not a hopper just busting balls
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Yes, Gary Bettman would hate to have large markets like Philadelphia and Los Angeles be successful. |
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