by Spector

Updated: May 8, 2008, 6:32 PM EST 96 comments

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The Western Conference finals pit a Red Wings team that finished first overall during the regular season and cruised past Nashville and Colorado in the first two rounds against a Stars club that finished fifth overall in the conference and nearly 20 points back of the Wings.

It's the "Battle of Pennsylvania" in the Eastern Conference, featuring a Penguins team that finished second overall and quickly dispatched of the Senators and Rangers against a hardworking Flyers team that required a strong finish in the regular season to clinch sixth overall.

While the regular season stats favor the Red Wings and Penguins, both clubs must be wary of their upstart opponents. The Stars advanced to the conference finals by knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks and the Pacific Division champion San Jose Sharks, while the Flyers bounced the Southeast Division champion Washington Capitals and the conference-leading Montreal Canadiens.

But in the Eastern Conference finals, a closer look reveals notable similarities. At forward, the Pens possess a lethal offensive attack led by the young dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They've got plenty of speed and play very aggressively around an opponent's net, especially on the power play.

The Flyers' forwards may not have the star power of the Penguins, but Daniel Briere, emerging stars Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, and surprise playoff scoring star R.J. Umberger possess considerable offensive talent.

Expect the Flyers to try and play a smart physical game to slow down Crosby and Malkin and knock them off their game, while avoiding the penalty box as much as possible. The Flyers' forwards will drive hard to the Penguins' net hoping to rattle Marc-Andre Fleury, and Martin Biron will be expected to carry over his stellar second-round performance at the other end.

This series is expected to be one of the hardest fought of this year's playoffs, despite the top team going up against a surprising underdog. In the end, however, the Penguins' speed and one-two offensive punch of Malkin and Crosby should give them the edge.

Out West, the Stars have Marty Turco in goal, who has been instrumental in the underdog's first conference finals appearance in almost a decade. On the other end, Detroit's Chris Osgood may not draw the same rave reviews as Turco, but his steady performance since taking over from Dominik Hasek midway through the first round is one of the reasons the Red Wings have the best record during the regular season.

The Red Wings have a clear advantage in depth and experience with a blueline corps boasting Norris contender Nicklas Lidstrom, Bryan Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Brad Stuart and the ageless Chris Chelios.

For the Stars to upset the favored Red Wings, Turco will have to have another strong series in goal, the team must disrupt the Wings' puck-handling, and their forwards will try to get Osgood off his positional game with slick passing and quick shots.

The Stars have been giant-killers in this year's playoffs and have plenty of skilled and experienced players to be a very tough opponent for Detroit, but most of this Wings team has been together for a long time and been here before, and that team experience and skill should make the difference in this one.

So my predictions?

Penguins in 6; Red Wings in 6.