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Pittsburgh Penguins Talk: Keys to the Stanley Cup Finals

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Jan 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) handles the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) handles the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 21, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) skates with the puck against the Ottawa Senators during the second period in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) skates with the puck against the Ottawa Senators during the second period in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Rich Newpol

I hope I am wrong, but I think this will be the toughest series for the Pens by far. There are two big hurdles to ovecome:

First, the Pens high speed style is best countered with high speed style. In all playoff matchups, the faster teams always gave the Pens the most trouble. I think the main reason the Pens outlasted the Sens is because they are not particularly fast. The Preds are the fastest team the Pens will encounter.

The other problem is fatigue. I can see the life slowly draining from these Pens as the playoffs progress. Through sheer will they have been able to rise to the occasion when needed. The Pens are battered – Hornqvist couldn’t even dress for game 7 against the Sens. Nashville has the hungry fresh look the Pens had last year. The Pens will have to be strong defensively, while rolling all four lines to conserve energy. That might manage a stalemate, so then the Pens will have to be opportunistic and get a timely goal to prevail.

A tough prospect – but it’s not supposed to be easy, so Let’s Go Pens!

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