The NHL playoffs will drop the puck starting Wednesday and with the new playoff format the seedings mean little to nothing concerning the match ups. The first series we will look at is the No. 2 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. the No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets.
Breakdown: The Pens come into this postseason fresh off being swept in last seasons playoffs by the Bruins. Pittsburgh comes in as fifth in the league in goals per game and second overall in the power play. The recent playoff struggles of Marc-Andre Fleury have become the stuff of legend, and his presence alone could drop the Penguins out of true contender status, but more on him later. The Blue Jackets are coming into only their second postseason and they haven’t won a playoff game in franchise history. Columbus’ lack of experience could unlimitedly be their undoing as they also lost the season series against the Pens five game to none.
Penguin to Watch: Marc-Andre Fleury
Fluery has had an incredible season and lead the league in goalie wins with 39, but his struggles have always been the postseason. In previous years Fluery has benefitted from the Tomas Vokoun’s presence, but that is no longer the case as Vokoun recovers from surgery to prevent blood clots. The Pens title chances live and die with Fluery, but history tends to repeat itself.
Blue Jacket to Watch: Boone Jenner
Jenner has the chance to be the second source of offense for Columbus with Pittsburgh likely keying in on Ryan Johansen, who leads the team in most offensive categories. At 20-years-old Jenner has plenty of time to develop and become better, but it would go a long way toward getting Columbus getting their first playoff win in franchise history.
Prediction: Penguins in 4
The Pens just have too much fire power regardless of how Fleury plays. Sidney Crosby and the return of Evgeni Malkin will play a big role into advancing the Pens into the second round
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