The season series between these two was fairly even with the Blues winning 3 of 5 games with 3 going to OT and we’ll see more of that this series as I’d expect more than a couple could need more than the full 60 to decide. However, the Washington Capitals could wear down Philly with a four-line attack that highlights just how deep this team really is. But the Capitals are superior in just about every facet, and they have home ice advantage. NY has knocked Pittsburgh out of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, and is 7-1 in its last eight postseason games against the Penguins. Maybe TJ Oshie will be the postseason difference-maker that Washington has been missing during the Ovechkin era, but until this team is able to get out of the second round it is hard for me to pick them in any playoff series. Goalie Roberto Luongo is wildly inconsistent and the team’s highest point-getter is 44 years old.
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While Duncan Keith delivered a memorable performance for Chicago in the clinching game with a goal and three assists, the most memorable play from the series was a wipeout hit by Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook on Blues forward David Backes at the end of Game 2, ramping up the intensity between the rivals. After that on both days are two games squeezed together at 6 and 7 p.m. Then, the worst decisions on the entire first-round schedule: two games that start at 9:30 p.m. In fact, of those seven playoff appearances, they got out of the first round only four times and never made it past the second round. All three of these games could wind up overlapping, and NYR-PIT and CHI-STL will definitely overlap regardless. Last year was Tampa Bay’s year, and this year the Panthers will take over as Florida’s best team.
VICTOR HEDMAN, TAMPA BAY: Without the injured Anton Stralman, the pressure is on Hedman to be a rock on defense for the Lightning.
The Red Wings should score just enough goals to squeak past the Lightning. “They’re ready to have their turn”.
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SHEA WEBER, NASHVILLE: Weber dislocated his knee game in Game 2 against Chicago previous year, which sank the Predators. Dallas has the highest-scoring offense overall and at even strength, in addition to a loaded power play that should feast on Minnesota’s 27th-ranked penalty kill. His defence partner, Roman Josi, set a single-season scoring record for Predators defencemen with 61 points and was a first-time all-star. The Blue Shirts enter their first round date with Pittsburgh looking for their third-straight playoff series victory over Sidney Crosby and company. Both starter Marc-Andre Fleury and his backup Matt Murray have suffered head injuries in the last leg of the regular season, and the Pens’ best bet is give them as much help as possible-not matter who starts in goal. Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are two more very strong top six forwards, but behind those five players, their forward corps get a little bit thin. Greenburg has been involved with Showtime’s growing sports documentary efforts, too, as he was the executive producer of what was a pretty stellar all-access show following Notre Dame last season, as well as last year’s Dean Smith documentary. The St. Louis Blues have 10-1 odds. The seven-year centre lacked a star winger on his line but managed 33 goals and has five goals and 11 points in 13 post-season contests for the Islanders, who most recently won a playoff round in 1993 against Jagr and the Pittsburgh Penguins. They won the President’s Trophy and locked up the number one seed weeks ago. The team scored 55 power play goals in the regular season. The Sharks also will be motivated to avenge their 2014 first-round loss to the Kings that included San Jose blowing a 3-0 series lead. “They’re one of those teams that competes like no other and we know starting on the road is not going to be easy, so we have to have our best right away”.
