Unstoppable Penguins

At the outset of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, it appeared to be a wide-open race between eight teams. In the end, it wasn't even close. The Pittsburgh Penguins made quick and efficient work of all comers, as they left little doubt of who is the beast of the east in 2007-08.

Forget about the theory that Martin Brodeur could tip the scales the New Jersey Devils' way because he'd be the one dominant goaltender none of the seven others had. Forget about all the press the New York Rangers received for their high-profile signings and improved team defense. Forget about the defending conference champion Ottawa Senators, who were probably lucky to even qualify for the top eight with the way they slid in the second half.

Forget about the youthful exuberance and late-season wave of momentum the Washington Capitals and Alexander Ovechkin rode into the postseason. Forget about the skill and tradition of the Montreal Canadiens, too. And the blue collar work of resurgent Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers?

Forget all of it.

The Penguins were unquestionably the most prepared, most determined, most talented team from the instant the first puck was dropped. It's funny when you look back. The Penguins needed just 68 seconds in Game 1 to deliver the first message. That's when veteran Gary Roberts scored the first of his two goals during a 4-0 shellacking of the Senators during a game in which he led his team throughout.

As it turned out, that was a pretty big hint as to what was in store for the next three rounds.

The Penguins are where they are today because their best players really were their best players. Their role players performed to near perfection and while we're certainly not suggesting they are lucky, they did have luck on their side.

The only real injuries the team has had to face is Roberts (groin, leg and now pneumonia) and Max Talbot (broken foot), but both have contributed significantly when healthy enough to appear in the lineup. Remember those high ankle sprains that cut into the regular season for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (early) and captain Sidney Crosby (late)? Doesn't look like either former No. 1 overall pick is bothered in the least by what can otherwise be a difficult injury to overcome without extended rest.

Adversity didn't detour them either. Take second-year center Jordan Staal. After helping to knock out his brother Marc's Rangers in the second round, Jordan had the first All-Pennsylvania conference finals interrupted with the untimely and unfortunate death of his grandfather. Jordan Staal spent an off-day between Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia flying to Thunder Bay, Ontario, for the funeral, and was back in time to score his team's two goals in Game 4. That went down as a loss, but not only did Staal come through the experience with a professional response, but also the 19-year-old provided inspiration for his teammates.

Pittsburgh rolled through the East, winning the first three games of each series, losing only Game 4 at New York and Philadelphia before bouncing back with clutch series-clinching performances against the Rangers (3-2 in overtime) and Flyers (6-0 dismantling). The Penguins are 8-0 at home in these playoffs, six times winning by more than one goal.

Everything just fell into place for the Pens. Deadline deals to add offensive prowess in Marian Hossa has resulted in the 29-year-old left wing matching Evgeni Malkin for the team lead with nine postseason goals. Defenseman Hal Gill from Toronto helped to usher Jaromir Jagr out of the second round and every one else that has come across his physically-imposing path. Even Pascal Dupuis has been a huge help both with defensive responsibility and his ability to skate alongside top-six forwards Crosby and Hossa.

People are learning the Penguins can play shutdown defense.

Brooks Orpik can hit, and so can Sergei Gonchar. Ryan Whitney and Kris Letang have come a long way to match the defensive side of the equation with the offense they provide. Rob Scuderi and Gill round out a dependable six, which leaves well-reputed veteran Darryl Sydor a healthy scratch game after game.

And then there's Fleury, the athletic netminder who looks like he's just having all kinds of fun out there. Sure, he's mishandled a few pucks when he gets a bit overactive in and around his crease, but Fleury also has been rock solid when he's needed to be, and he gives his forwards confidence to take a chance now and then knowing he's got their back.

It's hard to find a reason not to like Pittsburgh at this point, but there might be one – the Western Conference champion.

There was some damn good hockey played this season out West, and the Detroit Red Wings rolled through their side of the bracket in much the same manner as the Penguins until running into an impenetrable Marty Turco during Game 5 in Hockeytown on Saturday.

Unless the resurgent Dallas Stars can somehow become just the third team to rally from an 0-3 deficit with wins Monday at home and in Detroit on Wednesday, it'll be the tradition-rich Wings opposing the Penguins. Detroit will have home ice.

Pittsburgh can rest up and root for a Game 7 and overtime to boot. The Pens would love to see the Stars cap the improbable comeback. That would mean home-ice against Dallas for Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 at The Igloo, where you have to go all the way back to Feb. 24 to find the last time they came out on the short end as hosts. Pittsburgh lost 2-1 during a shootout that day against San Jose, a team that was left in the dust by Dallas and Detroit.

Hmmm.