Predicting the Penguins and the Eastern Conference during the playoffs

As the Pittsburgh Penguins and the NHL inch closer to the start of the playoffs, we decided to predict, in its entirety, how the Eastern Conference will go.

The dates and locations are still getting worked out for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but what we do know is that it is happening. The Pittsburgh Penguins will be playing the Montreal Canadiens in the qualifying round of the playoffs. The matchups are ready, and the competition is about to take center stage for the summer months coming up.

In predicting the matchups to come, it’ll be two-fold. First, we are going to rank how the top 4 teams did in their round-robin play in matches and then look at the qualifying round. In looking at the top seeds battles, we will see each team play each other once, later being reorganized based on points from those matchups.

In short, that round of play will most likely spit out the same top 4 as before leaving the seeds locked at 1. Boston, 2. Tampa Bay, 3. Washington, and 4. Philadelphia. Now on to the fun part, the qualification round or better yet, the start to the Pittsburgh Penguins run towards the Cup.

Predicting the Penguins and entire Eastern Conference during the playoffs

No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 12 Montreal 

On paper, the Penguins are just better, but they shouldn’t rest on this matchup either. With a fully healthy roster back, Pittsburgh should walk away from this matchup easily. Look for the Habs to show a little resiliency, but not much else.

(Prediction: Penguins in 4)

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• Farewell Carl Hagelin
• Penguins Line-up Breakdown vs Stanley Cup Champs Vegas
• Ryan Graves Solid Signing For The Pittsburgh Penguins

No. 6 Carolina vs. No. 11 NY Rangers 

Carolina has one this going for them, and it’s the offense. Other than that, they are pretty weak rounding out the back. Playing in neutral cities won’t bother them, as getting fans to come has been a stretch. This series will be a tough road, but they will win it in the end.

(Prediction: Hurricanes in 5)

No. 7 NY Islanders vs. No. 10 Florida 

It’s New York Islanders playoff hockey time once more, as this is becoming a regular occurrence for them. Their opponents, Florida, are in uncharted waters and will be reeling against this tough Eastern Conference foe.

(Prediction: Islanders in 3)

No. 8 Toronto vs. No. 9 Columbus

This matchup is arguably the toughest on paper, and it makes sense since they are the closest seeded teams. Not only with it be tough, but it will also be entertaining to the end as the Leafs just barely eke out this series.

(Prediction: Maple Leafs in 5)

If these predictions pan out, this will mean that the top 8 seeds in the East all make it and thus making it look like a regular playoff from this point on (well kind of anyway). The first-round matchups will look like: 1. Boston vs. 8. Toronto, 2. Tampa Bay vs. 7. NY Islanders, 3. Washington vs. Carolina, and 4. Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh.

As competitive, yet predictable as the qualifying round was, don’t look for that in the “first round.” This round in the Eastern Conference will see rivals pitted against each other, old foes fighting for supremacy, and games that match up with speed and physicality. In choosing these matchups, one must look to the past, yet remember anything goes come Stanley Cup time.

No. 5 Pittsburgh vs. No. 4 Philadelphia 

Nothing like a good ole fashioned barn burner to heat your summer nights, eh? There’s no secret that Philly and Pittsburgh hate each other, it shows every time they meet up. On the ice and in the stands, the rivalry is real, making this a fun one for watching. They never got to play their 4th game of the year, but the Penguins won the yearly series 2 games to 1.

Expect it to be more of the same come playoff time, back and forth, up and down, as both sides struggle for Pennsylvania bragging rights. Philly will have the upper hand, as the higher seed, but if the Pens can do what they did during the regular season and win at home, all they will have to do is take one in Philadelphia, and that’s that. It’ll be close, but the good guys will prevail.

(Prediction: Penguins in 6)

No. 6 Carolina vs. No. 3 Washington 

This matchup during the regular season was about as up and down as their current franchises are. The Hurricanes took the first 2 games, and then the Capitals stormed back, making it a 2-2 record for the season. It pains me to say it, but Washington will just have too much firepower, and Carolina will finally succumb to their weaknesses.

(Prediction: Capitals in 5)

Predicting the Penguins and entire Eastern Conference during the playoffs

More from Pens Labyrinth

• Welcome To The Burgh: Lars Eller
• Penguins Waddle Toward The Season
• Farewell Carl Hagelin
• Penguins Line-up Breakdown vs Stanley Cup Champs Vegas
• Ryan Graves Solid Signing For The Pittsburgh Penguins

No. 7 NY Islanders vs. No. 2 Tampa Bay 

Pretty much everything went right for the Tampa Bay Lightning this season except when they matched up against the New York Islanders. New York took 2 out of 3 during the season, even putting up 11 goals in just 3 games. Look for more of the same, as the Islanders prevail in the playoffs, and Tampa Bay stumbles once more.

(Prediction: Islanders in 6)

No. 8 Toronto vs. No. 1 Boston

Everyone loves an excellent David vs. Goliath matchup, however, in this case, it’ll be anything but that. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins faced off against each other 3 times this year with Boston winning 2 comfortably, and only losing once in overtime. The Bruins were a dominant force in the East this season, and their reign hasn’t stopped just yet.

(Prediction: Bruins in 4)

This season, the NHL and the NHLPA have decided that after each round, the teams will be re-seeded by there rank. That means Boston will take on New York, and we will once more watch the battle between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.

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)