This year's Stanley Cup match up looks on paper to be one of the most exciting in recent years. The young guns of the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the tough no-nonsense Detroit Red Wings in the best-of-seven series which opens on Saturday night in the Joe Louis Arena, Detroit.

Both teams are high on confidence after romping through post season. The Penguins destroyed local rivals Philadelphia Flyers, closing off a 4-1 series win with a near perfect 6-0 win.

The Red Wings have been equally impressive in the playoffs, boasting a nine game winning streak and dispatching the Dallas Stars in ruthless fashion 4-2 to reach the Finals.

While both teams have enthralled hockey fans through the year, it's the Penguins most have taken to their hearts.

The franchise have amassed through the draft system some of the most exciting young talents the game has seen in recent years. Captain, 20-year-old centre Sid "The Kid" Crosby , Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have all joined in the last five years and make for a formidable line up.

Head coach Michael Therrien has encouraged his young guns to go out and express themselves while on the ice. The team attacks with speed and sharp puck work, averaging over four goals a game post season. His top line are all young and strong, regularly playing over 25 minutes ice time per game.

They defend in numbers and the agile Fleury has impressed with a rare three shut outs during the playoff season. Unbeaten at home since February the Pens have grown in confidence through the season and if their last game, the 6-0 mauling of the Flyers are any indicator, they are peaking at just the right time.

The Detroit Red Wings have moved effortlessly to the Finals dispatching the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche and finally the Dallas Stars with the loss of only four games.

Experience and strength in depth have been the buzz words for the success of the Red Wings this year. While goals have come a plenty from the prolific Johan Franzen and Wings Swedish superstar Henrik Zetteburg it's the defence and ability to deal with opponents' power plays that have often been the difference. Veteran goaltender Chris Osgood only lost three goals from 30 Dallas power plays, a quite incredible stat. Detroit look to suffocate teams in the middle of the rink squeezing space although this tactic will be severely tested by the Penguins smart puck play.

Success in the seven-game series will come down to who plays best away from home.

Red Wings hold the home advantage but must themselves overcome the Pens' incredible four-month unbeaten record at the oldest venue in the NHL, the Mellon Arena.

While the Wings will look for a fast start out the blocks and establish a 2-0 lead in the series, the Pens will be equally aware that an away victory in either of the first two games will set them up series victory.

And I believe the offence of Crosby, Malkin and Hossa will build on their post-season form and take something from the first set of games away from home.

Maintaining their formidable Mellon Arena record should then bring Stanley Cup glory come the end of the series.

Bet365 are offering 6/4 on a Pittsburgh series triumph and seems great value. Those looking for longer odds should consider backing the Pens to win the series 4-2 at 9/2, again with Bet365.

Looking at the markets for individual players its unsurprising to see Sidney Crosby and Henrik Zetterburg dominate. It appears it is time for Sid the Kid to confirm his promotion to one of the greats of the sport and I expect him to rise to the big occasion. Taking Crosby to be top points scorer at 7/2 with Stan James will not be far away from the mark.

Elsewhere, two other wagers cane close to the staking plan. Neither team seem to do shut outs - with only four between them in the close season - so it would be difficult to see a shut out during the Cup series and the 10/13 on offer with betdirect seems fairly generous.

Similarly it would appear prudent to expect the power play kings Detroit Red Wings to head the playoff goals tally and again betdirect pricing this at 10/13 will attract many punters.