The Stanley Cup Finals – Another US Win on the Horizon

If you would’ve picked the Edmonton Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes to play in the Stanley Cup Finals at the beginning of the year most people would’ve said you were crazy.  I would’ve been one of those people.  However, no matter how unattractive this Finals match up might seem, it is for the championship and will be an exciting and watch able series. 

If recent history is any indication of who will win than the smart money would be on the Hurricanes.  No team from Canada has won Lord Stanley’s Cup since 1993 when the Montreal Canadians won it.  Also, the Canes have the home ice advantage, which has proved to be a huge advantage in the Cup Finals, especially if it goes seven games. 

As for why the Canes should win this season, I think there are just too many things going their way.  First of all the Carolina Hurricanes/ Hartford Whalers organization has never won the Stanley Cup.  They made it in 2002, but the Detroit Red Wings rained on their parade in an easy five game series victory.  They are due to win it this time around and have the team, the goalie, and the coaching staff to do it. 

Secondly, the Hurricanes beat far superior competition in the playoffs to get to the Finals.  They have had to beat two perennial Eastern Conference powers, Montreal and New Jersey, and then earned a hard fought seven game victory over arguably the hottest team in the playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres. 

I know what your thinking, how can the eight seed make it out of the Western Conference without being good?  Well, the Oilers are good; in fact they are very good.  They had to get by the Presidents’ Trophy Champion Detroit Red Wings in the first round.  Although it was an impressive win against the Wings, they needed some late game magic in game six to prevent a game seven in Detroit.  Edmonton scored twice in the final minutes to clinch the series at home, but had they not had some luck late in the game, they might’ve been beaten in game seven and we wouldn’t be talking about them. 

After defeating the Wings they hit the west coast and dominated San Jose and Anaheim.  Both solid teams, but I don’t think it could’ve prepared them for what they will face in Raleigh.  I know the Edmonton fans are probably getting upset with the lack of respect but until I see them go into Raleigh and win two games (and this is what it will take) I won’t hand the trophy over. 

This series will be closely played and each game should be decided by only one or two goals.  Expect a fair share of overtime as well, since many of both of these teams’ games have gone an extra period.  Both of these teams are on fire as they enter the finals.  The Canes are 12-4 in their last 16 games and the Oilers are 8-1 in their last nine. 

I think the Canes have an edge in coaching, offense, goaltending, and on the power play.  These four things are what win hockey championships.  Martin Gerber is going to be the x-factor in this series and could quite possibly be the series MVP if his team can play to their potential in front of him.

For the series I am picking the Hurricanes in seven games.  The last three Cup Finals series that went seven games saw the home team win in game seven to take the title.  I think Edmonton will give it all they can but will come up just short. 

As for betting this series, the Hurricanes are –140 favorites and if you want Edmonton they are +120.  I think that the majority of these games will go under, especially the first few games since both teams will be nervous and a little tentative.