Quote:
Originally Posted by kane
The beauty of the NHL is that in the playoffs anything can happen. The Pens have talent. with Crosby and Malkin they can score and if Fleury plays well they could do well.
The problem they seem to have had all season is that the drop off after Crosby/Malkin has been big. They are going to need some bigger production from the role players if they want to go deep. Not to mention their D is the walking wounded right now. The last 5-6 games of the regular season they only dressed 5 defensemen. That won't work in the playoffs.
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I'm almost convinced Crosby & Malkin could carry them to the 2nd round virtually all by themselves. With some solid goaltending, and assuming they're playing at their top form.
Almost. As fierce as their level of talent is, this year is different. Pretty much every other team that made the playoffs are strong teams who are going to be tough to beat.For starters, getting past the Rangers is going to be monumental. No one sees them doing it. No one. What can I say, it'll either be a decent series or it'll be a 4-straight blowout.
But if they do somehow manage to take down the team with the best record in the regular season, holy shit that will be huge.
Here are all the matchups for round 1 ----
-=EAST=-
Pens
Rangers
Montreal
Ottawa Sens
Lightning
Red Wings
Capitals
Islanders
-=WEST=-
Ducks
Jets
Blues
Wild
Predators
Blackhawks
Canucks
Flames
So at least two Canadian teams are going to be eliminated in round 1.
