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NHL Hopes Star-Studded Final Lifts Hockey

Penguins/Red Wings matchup starts tonight

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 24, 2008 1:39 PM CDT

(Newser) – The NHL may have dinky ratings and a long way to go to catch the big three of American sports, but it couldn’t ask for a better pick-me-up than this year’s Stanley Cup final. The Pittsburgh-Detroit matchup that starts tonight is one of the most compelling in years, the Washington Post notes. The Penguins are loaded with young phenoms like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, while Detroit boasts a veteran lineup well suited for "Hockey Town."

“I cannot recall more stars in a final since 1987,” said Mike “Doc” Emrick, who will call the games. “I think the hockey gods are smiling so wide we can count their missing teeth.” Both teams also come from big, hockey-loving American markets, a far cry from recent finals like last year’s Anaheim-Ottawa.

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby smiles after scoring a goal during practice in Pittsburgh. The Penguins face the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals first game today in Detroit.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby smiles after scoring a goal during practice in Pittsburgh. The Penguins face the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup finals first game today in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) brings the puck up ice past Detroit Red Wings' Andreas Lilja (3) in the first period of pre-season NHL hockey Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) brings the puck up ice past Detroit Red Wings' Andreas Lilja (3) in the first period of pre-season NHL hockey Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Pittsburgh.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby against the Detroit Red Wings in NHL hockey action in this Sept. 27, 2007 file photo in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby against the Detroit Red Wings in NHL hockey action in this Sept. 27, 2007 file photo in Pittsburgh.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Penguins' No. 1 draft pick Angelo Esposito, right, skates through the goal crease in front of Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek, Sept. 22, 2007, in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins' No. 1 draft pick Angelo Esposito, right, skates through the goal crease in front of Detroit Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek, Sept. 22, 2007, in Pittsburgh.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Detroit Red Wings winger Johan Franzen of Sweden skates during a practice session at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Friday, May 23, 2008.
Detroit Red Wings winger Johan Franzen of Sweden skates during a practice session at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Friday, May 23, 2008.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
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