Will the Pens and Wings sequel have different ending?

As the Detroit Red Wings lace up to defend their Stanley Cup crown against the same club they took it from last year, fans wonder if this series will be different and the simple answer is yes. More competitive, because Sidney Crosby has much more help this year, because ‘the kids’ from last year have another year under their belt and will not be a deer in headlights this time around, because the physicality promises to make it even more intense but the Pens may have a retort this time around. Different yes, but a different OUTCOME? That remains to be seen but there are several “factors of focus” that may sway your opinion either way.

Crosby and Malkin each have 28 postseason points and combined for 16 points in the Pens' four-game sweep of the Hurricanes. Kunitz has played well and has 11 assists this spring, but, nonetheless, has scored just once in 17 games. Malkin has to bring it if the Pens are going to match the Wings offensively, but Pittsburgh has the best 1-2 punch of any team in the playoffs this year. During last season's Cup finals, Malkin faded and Crosby was by far the best player for the Penguins. The Wings' best players were demonstrably better, especially Zetterberg, Lidstrom and Datsyuk, who was rocking bodies all over the place. However this year the Wings have injury issues they weren’t faced with last year. With the number of injures piling up for the Red Wings (defenseman Johnathan Ericsson underwent an emergency appendectomy) their ability to ice a lineup that can keep up with the Penguins is a major area on concern and could be the factor that changes the tide. Six-time Norris trophy winner Lidstrom has missed two games, as has Datsyuk. Support players Kopecky, Draper and Lilja all have been out of action lately. Most troubling, obviously, will be the losses of Datsyuk and Lidstrom if they can't rejoin the lineup or play until after the series gets going, especially with back-to-back games to start the series Saturday and Sunday. Differences yes, do they add up to a different outcome? One thing for sure this will be a Cup Final that the NHL needed to put it back in the hunt for the North American audience, and we’re certainly on board. Who is your pick in the series? Let us know here and in the NHL chat rooms and team rooms.