Stanley cup final: Ottawa vs Anaheim.

So now we know the identity of the two teams that will be fighting for the 2007 Stanley cup. The Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks. The Stanley cup final is scheduled to begin next monday evening. Now, who do you think will be the winner?

The Ottawa Senators: The team finished the regular season 4th in the NHL Eastern conference. Their playoff performances are very impressive this far: they only lost 3 games thru 3 playoff rounds, winning each of their series in 5 games. Ottawa has an explosive first offensive line composed of Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and team captain Daniel Alfredsson. Alfredsson has been playing very well and looks like a logical choice for the Conn Smythe trophy awarded to the best post-season player.

The Ottawa defense has been holding up very well also, so well that goaltender Ray Emery haven't been seriously tested and didn't need to win a single game by himself this far. Their support players have also contributed to the team success: Mike Fisher, Dean McAmmond, Chris Kelly, Mike Comrie and Antoine Vermette. Ottawa is definatly a very well balanced team.

The Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks finished in 2nd place of the Western conference and went thru some quality teams during the playoffs. They strapped on their work boots to defeat the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings, two teams that were capable of going all the way. The Ducks offense is not their main weapon. Defensemen Chris Pronger leads the team in scoring with 14 points. The rest of the offensive weapons consist of Ryan Getzlaf, Teemu Selanne, Samuel Pahlsson, Corey Perry and Travis Moen.

The team's main weapon is their goaltender, Jean-Sebastien Giguere. His solid play will be needed more than ever considering Ottawa's offensive firepower. Should the Ducks pull this one off, Giguere will deserve the Conn Smythe trophy, a trophy he already won once in his career in their 2003 heartbreaking Stanley cup final game 7 loss to the New-Jersey Devils.

My prediction: Ottawa winning the series in 6 games. Daniel Alfredsson as Conn Smythe trophy winner.