Is there another team from the Eastern Conference that would have matched up better with Detroit?

Question

This isn't a knock on the Penguins as there is no doubt they are a team with plenty of talented players. But this is hockey so there are other factors such as a team's offensive/defensive style, coaching, experience, etc... that can match up better with another team. Is there a team from the Eastern Conference, whether they made the playoffs or not, that could've gave Detroit a run for their money?

Answer 1

Not in my opinion. The Pens got where they have because they are an extraordinary team and truly deserve to be there. They are looking so horrible out there because of lack of experience in the Stanley Cup finals(you have to remember none of them with the exception of roberts have ever been in the finals before)..not because they aren't the best team for the match up.

Answer 2

There is no team in the "NHL" that could beat Detroit in the Finals this year

Answer 3

NO. The Penn's are the best team from that Conference that is why they are there.....No other team would have kept it as close no one else had the team to do it.

Answer 4

the flyers would have done better. Mtl woulda prolly done better.

I belive that det stated that the game the flyers play is alot harder for them to face then the game that the pens play.

Which is true. Det esp kornwall like to take the man in the neutral zone b4 they go in deep but with philly's size it be alot harder.

Answer 5

I think Montreal would have had a better chance.  But besides Montreal and Pittsburgh, no other team would have stood a chance in Hades.  Philly would have been tough to play against, they are a lot like Dallas, but they just don't get as many shots.  Philly would have had a hard time generating 20 shots a game.  They couldn't do it consistently against the other teams they faced, so they probably wouldn't do it against the Wings.  Biron would have been the toughest part.

Answer 6

no no team in the nhl, i think the only team that would be a good matchup with the wings would be Team Russia from the world championship this year

Answer 7

No-it's a good match up. Detroit is just more experienced. They are probably unbeatable.

In lots of areas, statistically they are pretty evenly matched.

Game 3 was about as good as a hockey game gets. Think about that in terms of matchup.

Answer 8

No way.San Jose,Dallas and maybe Colorado probably could have beaten every East team this year.

Answer 9

Philly.

Answer 10

the only team that could have made a better match up would have been Montreal Canadiens (which would have been beaten also) - no one else could have made it

Answer 11

Come on now, lets look at this objectivley. NJ and its tight checking, top goaltending, grinding, tough, defensive style would be the best team from the east to face Detriot. However they were not good enough to get out of the first round.

Answer 12

possibly the rangers. thats about it. the rest of the teams are in the western conference.