STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS 2007-FINALS

Anaheim vs. Ottawa. Two teams, both of whom have never in their respective histories, sipped from Lord Stanley's silver chalice. This is the finals matchup that should have happened in 2003. If you would like to know why it didn't, find an old tape of the final minute of the 2003 Eastern Conference game 7, or just ask Wade Redden directly. That said, I have to say I am rather impressed with the Playoff run of the Ottawa Senators. They have beaten 3 teams ( Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Buffalo ) with distinctively different styles to reach this point. The Anaheim Ducks, heartbroken by their 5 game loss to Edmonton in the Western Conference Finals last season made the necessary moves, or should I say move (Chris Pronger), to propel themselves into the Finals. The Ducks are a deeper team than Ottawa as were the Buffalo Sabres whom were dismissed by the Sens in 5 games in this year's Conference Final matchup. The main difference however, is that the Sens were able to expose a lack of skill players on an otherwise solid Buffalo squad. When it came down to crunch time and Buffalo needed to score, they simply didn't have the individual skill players for those moments when a hero is needed, all due respect to Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, and Ryan Miller of course. The Sens top line of Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley simply overwhelmed the Sabres who seemed to have no answer for players of that skill level. The Ducks have no such deficiencies. Their top checking line of Rob Neidermayer, Samuel Pahlsson & Travis Moen was able to hold Detroit's top line of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom in check and with such skill players as Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf and Andy McDonald to provide scoring punch. The Ducks are, as a team, a complete package. Just as Detroit's top line was not sufficient to overcome the superior depth of the Ducks, neither shall the top line of the Sens. I've yet to mention the Ducks' defense or goaltending, both of which can also be considered superior to that of Ottawa. Speaking of which, I do expect Ottawa Goaltender Ray Emery to steal a game in this series, but ultimately the Ducks to prevail in 5 games; 6 at the most. If by some miracle the Senators do win this series, expect Ray Emery to take home the Conn Smythe trophy (Playoff MVP). All of Canada may be upset with my commets, but I'm just keepin' it real. It is what it is. See ya'