2009 Playoff Pick Em: Stanley Cup Finals

2009 Playoff Pick Em: Stanley Cup Finals
Photo by Josh Appel / Unsplash

The last time two teams had a rematch in the Stanley Cup Finals was 1984, when the Edmonton Oilers knocked off the New York Islanders. The Isles were the toast of the league, winning four Cups in a row beforehand.

In 1983, Edmonton was young but skilled. Rolling through their respective Conference in the playoffs, the Oil swept their first series against the Jets, dropped one game to the Flames, and proceeded to sweep the Blackhawks to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. However, they were overmatched by one of the best teams in their era, a team filled with veteran superstars such as Mike Bossy and Bob Nystrom.

In 1984, Edmonton was hungry for redemption. They had two players go 1-2 in the point race, as well as having two great young centermen in Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, both of whom were in their young twenties.

In 2008, Pittsburgh was young but skilled. Rolling through their respective Conference, the Pens swept their first series against the Senators, dropped one game to the Rangers, and proceeded to knock the Flyers out in five games to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. However, they were overmatched by one of the best teams in their era, a team filled with veteran superstars such as Nik Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk.

In 2009, Pittsburgh was hungry for redemption. They had two players go 1-2 in the point race, as well as having two great young centermen in Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, both of whom were in their young twenties.

At times like these, you go with your gut. Pittsburgh in six.

Go Pens.