Predicting the Penguins and the Eastern Conference during the playoffs
Then, there were, but just 4 teams left. The Eastern Conference semi-finals are no place for the weak, and in this case, the 4 teams in it are anything but that. The major storyline in this round will be once again, more rivalries. The Pittsburgh Penguins will be facing off, once more, against a hated foe. As the Bruins will like to do quick work against a team, that can be anything but easy.
No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 3 Washington
If you asked any Penguins fan who they despised the most, it would most likely be the Philadelphia Flyers. But in some cases, Washington would take the nod. Mostly, because since their arrivals to the game, Sid and Ove have been compared to each other at every turn. This matchup will be no different going forward.
This matchup will genuinely be the first time in the playoffs that Pittsburgh will be outmatched and outplayed. During the regular season, they played 3 times, and the Pens only got a win once, horrifically losing the other 2 times. This time, it’s the playoffs, however, and the Penguins are finally healthy.
If the Penguins are to prevail, they will need to stay on the offensive and sure up their backline of defense. The Capitals are too right upfront to give any sort of break to, and they will have to be on night in and night out. There is something about the Penguins making magic out of nothing, so look for that again and look for them to lean on Jake Guentzel and Geno more than Sid in this one.
(Prediction: Penguins in 7)
Predicting the Penguins and entire Eastern Conference during the playoffs
No. 7 NY Islanders vs. No. 1 Boston
Just as the Islanders were the Achilles heel for Tampa, they were undoubted, at least, a pest to the Boston Bruins. The Bruins took the regular-season series, but it was never in a straightforward fashion. Look for that again here, as both teams will be trying to prove something. New York thinking that they belong and Boston thinking that they are the best in the East. It’ll be closer than many would predict.
(Prediction: Bruins in 6)