Pittsburgh Penguins: 2017-18 Atlantic Division Preview

Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins faced off in an insane Eastern Conference Final matchup that resulted in a Penguins win. Despite it being a Penguins win, the series itself went to a game 7 and was decided in a double OT.

In the regular season, the Penguins topped the Senators in just one of their three matchups in a 8-5 win. The other two games were Ottawa victories, a 4-1 regulation win and a 2-1 shootout victory.

The Penguins and the Senators are teams with similar dynamics and systems. They both have balanced teams that can score when necessary, but the Penguins have an offensive advantage. Pittsburgh is a high scoring team and if they use that to their advantage they can get ahead.

Despite being somewhat equally matched, the Penguins can produce more and have solid, though less physical, defensemen who know how to get the job done. The Penguins need to learn when to charge the net and when to defend their own.

Matt Murray in goal is an advantage for the Penguins because of his consistency and ability at his young age. Beating the Senators isn’t an easy feat but the Penguins are more than capable and did an excellent job of showing that in the ECF.

Expect the Penguins to push them harder this season to get more wins out of the regular season series.