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Western Conference Finals preview: Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings
http://www.e-sports.com/articles/1869/1/Western-Conference-Finals-preview-Anaheim-Ducks-vs-Detroit-Red-Wings/Page1.html
Jo Ann Lawery
Jo Ann Lawery now lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. When she isn't writing for eSports and other web sites, this avid hockey and baseball fan works in, where else, a casino as a "slot club ambassador."
 
By Jo Ann Lawery
Published on 05/9/2007
 

The Western Conference Finals in the NHL are set. The Anaheim Ducks will face the Detroit Red Wings for the right to play for the Stanley Cup.


Who will prevail -- Anaheim or Detroit?

The Anaheim Ducks didn't have to wait very long to find out would be their opponent.

To those west coast hockey fans hoping for an all California hockey final, sorry, some dreams just don't come true. The Ducks' opponent is hockey's answer to the New York Yankees -- the Detroit Red Wings.

The Red Wings aren't unfamiliar to the Ducks' and their fans. Their coach, Mike Babcock, was the very popular former head coach of the Ducks.

For the first time in 18 years, one familiar face won't be wearing the red Wing jersey -- Steve Yzerman, the long time Red Wing captain.

The Red Wings still have other players well known to hockey fans. They have the oldest team in the league, but that doesn't necessary translate into "slow" hockey players.

The Ducks' also have familiar players, most notably, goaltender J.S. Giguere and veteran all star, Teemu Selanne. The team has been in the Stanley Cup Finals before, losing to the New Jersey Devils.

Hockey "experts" picked the Ducks to make the finals again, because they got stronger in the off season by picking all star defenseman, Chris Pronger from the Edmonton Oilers.

Like the Ottawa-Buffalo series, this will be a physical series, given the history between the two teams.

To those hockey fans looking for lots of scoring, good, clean hard hitting hockey action, and getting the chance to watch two of the best goaltenders in the league today, Giguere for Anaheim, and the Red Wings acrobatic veteran goaltender, Dominik Hasek, this series won't disappoint you.

It may even live up to the "hype."

The experts might be wrong about this series as well. It could go seven games.