PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins face off against Nashville Predators in the 2017 Stanley Cup Final. The Penguins are trying to be the first team since the Detroit Red Wings twenty years ago to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. The Nashville Predators are trying to become only the second eighth seed ever to win the Cup.
Both teams are led by American coaches. The first for a Cup Final.
Head Coaches Mike Sullivan and Peter Laviolette are at the top of their profession. Both coaches have their teams play a fast paced game using their speed and skill. This series will be an offensive showcase featuring the Penguins superstar forwards Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel vs the ultra talented Predators defensemen Roman Yosi, Mattias Ekholm and P K Subban. Both teams play hard but keep it out of the gutter. This is going to be a whale of a series.
How did we get here?
The Penguins defeated their rival younger brothers the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening round. Next, the Presidents trophy winning Washington Capitals were defeated by the Penguins in seven. It took more than seven for the Penguins to beat the Ottawa Senators. The defending champs needed a goal by three time Cup winner Chris Kunitz in double overtime to advance. Guy Boucher’s trap, All Universe defenseman Erik Karlsson, great goaltending by Craig Anderson and a truck load of guts pushed Pittsburgh to the brink.
Injuries appeared to catch up to the Penguins playing without Kris Letang, Justin Schultz and Trevor Dailey on the blue line. Patric Hornqvist and Bryan Rust were in and out of the lineup as well. Matt Murray returned to the Penguins net replacing Marc Andre Fleury in a somewhat surprising move. He made Sullivan’s faith in him payoff by steadying the Penguins ship as they sail into the Final.
The Nashville Predators swept everyone’s Cup favorite the Chicago Blackhawks. It was shocking. Chicago was embarrassed. The pesky St Louis Blues were handled in six. The Anaheim Ducks we also handled in six.
The Ducks took the series to the alley but the Predators did not back down. The Pekka Rinne vs John Gibson goalie matchup was a draw. Gibson’s injury sent back up Jonathan Bernier in net and Bernier was not up to the challenge. Anaheim’s young defensive monster Josh Manson knocked out the Predators top two centers Ryan Johansen and Mike Fisher. The Ducks never capitalized on this occurrence. Ryan Kesler continued to play the role of a fourth line pest and not second line scoring center. Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry played will rue the day they let this series slip away. Colton Sissons hat trick will be a never ending nightmare. The Ducks were missing scoring wingers Patricks Eaves and Rickard Rickell but it appeared the Predators just wanted it more. The were faster to loose pucks. They won more battles and they won the series.
What’s Going to happen?
Even if the Predators had Ryan Johansen available the Penguins wit ould have a huge advantage at center. Crosby is the best player in the world. Malkin is a Hall of Famer. Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen are exceptional bottom six centers. The Penguins wingers all can put the puck in the net. Phil Kessel, Bryan Rust and Jake Guentzal are world class snipers. Sullivan uses the Penguins depth to put as Doc Emrick says a bear and a bunny on every line.
The Penguins defense is a ban of brothers. Warriors Bryan Doumolin and Ian Cole. Puck movers Trevor Dailey and Justin Schultz. Steady Olli Maata and the old vet Ron Hainsey.
The Penguins blue line doesn’t have the high end talent Nashville’s does. Nashville’s top four defensemen aren’t thumpers but they are physical. Their offensive prowess is second to none Everyone knows PK Subban and he’s only the Predators third best defenseman. Roman Josi is one of the five best defenseman in the NHL. Mattias Ekholm would be the best defenseman on over twenty teams in the league. Ryan Ellis rounds out the top four. The Penguins need to make hay when Nashville’s fifth and six defenseman Matt Irwin and Yannick Weber are on the ice. Especially taking advantage of last change at home.
Nashville will score goals .Filip Forsberg is a star. He is also on fire. James Neal’s stick is a game changer. Nashville’s problem is after Forberg and Neal the scoring talent drops,. Even more so if the nicked up young sensation Viktor Arvidsson doesn’t play. Injured Kevin Fiala is a huge loss in the scoring department. The Preds fourth liners Cody McLeod and Watson will bring some bang to the party. The Pens blue line depth is at its limit. McLeod and Watson’s checking could really take its toll on Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh has the edge in net. Predator’s Pekka Rinne has had an outstanding playoff run, Matt Murray has a Cup. Rinne is 1-5-2 vs Pittsburgh. The Penguins feast on tall goaltenders.
Behind the bench is a draw. Mike Sullivan is already the greatest coach of all time. Maybe not the greatest coach to coach for the Penguins but the coach who has done the best job. Peter Laviolette won a Cup in Carolina. He went to the playoffs on Long Island with Mike Milbury as GM. He’s made the Final without his number one center.
The Penguins and the Predators are both nearly unbeatable at home. The Penguins have home ice advantage. Crosby and Penguins have a shot at immortality.
PENGUINS IN 7
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