#4 Seed VS. #5 Seed
Analysis: This series opens up Wednesday night in Pittsburgh and features the 4th seed Penguins against the 5th seed Senators. The defending Stanley Cup champions, Pittsburgh Penguins are on a quest to repeat with the majority of players still in place from last year. Obviously Crosby, Malkin, and Staal return to form a trio of high-end centers; the question will be how the wingers help these guys maintain their form from last year. Although Alex Ponikarovsky has struggled since coming over at the trade deadline I think he will be a nice addition and make the team stronger down the stretch. Look for Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz to chip in offensively every now and then too. In Ottawa the amazing trio of Heatley, Spezza, and Alfredsson has been broken up, but since returning from injury Spezza has been lighting it up. Alfredsson is also no stranger to playoff scoring and I anticipate Mike Fisher putting up some points as well. On Defence, I feel that both clubs are quite deep, Pittsburgh is led by Gonchar, Orpik, Leopold, and Letang. Ottawa is led by Volchenkov, Phillips, and rookie Karlsson. Also watch out for new addition Andy Sutton who has dealt some punishing hits this season, Crosby and Co. Will definitely have to keep their heads up when Sutton is on this ice. In Net the clear favourite is Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury who is a better tender than both Brian Elliot and Pascal Leclaire. Watch Pittsburgh to capitalize on power play opportunities when Crosby and Malkin are put together, with Gonchar and Letang providing offensive support from the back end.
Prediction: Spezza and Co. Will not go down easily, However Pittsburgh is just too deep for Ottawa to be able to contend every night. Jordan Staal will have a dominant series over the weaker lower lines of Ottawa. PITTSBURGH IN 6.
Key Players: Pittsburgh: Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury, Gonchar, Letang. Ottawa: Spezza, Alfredsson, Fisher, Phillips, Volchenkov, Sutton, Elliot.
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