(UPDATE 1:13 PM)- Despite a second straight day on the ice with the rest of the team, Sens Coach Paul MacLean announced this afternoon that injured centre Jason Spezza will not be traveling with the team to Pittsburgh. The plan is for him to stay behind and work out with the other Black Aces. MacLean would not completely rule out a Game 2 return.
While the Ottawa Senators wait to find out when they'll start their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, fans and experts alike have already begun to break down this match up.
The Senators are a terrific story this season, overcoming a seemingly endless run of injuries and not only finding their way into the Stanley Cup playoffs, but winning their first round series in convincing fashion. Their second round opponent is the Stanley Cup favourite. Here's how I breakdown this series.
OFFENCE
As of the moment I wrote this post, the Penguins have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in their line up. Although the lights are awfully bright at SBP, perhaps too bright for player #87? And maybe for Malkin too actually. The Sens have JGP, AnaCondra and the red hot Matt Kassian. Neil with an I vs. Neal with an A, Iggy vs. Alfie. Unless the Penguins can trade for a few more Captains before the series starts, we'll call this one a toss up.
Even.
DEFENCE
Having watched the Penguins closely the last couple seasons, I can confirm they have players that line up as defenceman. As far as how well they play the position? No comment. Much like with Subban last series, the Penguins feature a player that aspires to be as good as Erik Karlsson in the form of Kris Letang. They also have a former Canadian Prime Minister patrolling the blue line, which is kind neat. They DO NOT have Sergei Gonchar. The Sens do. And that makes Malkin sad…
Advantage Sens.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Penguins have the top ranked power play in the playoffs at 33%. The Senators had the top ranked PK during the regular season. If the Senators can just keep Neal, Iginla, Letang, Malkin, Crosby, Straka, Jagr, and Mario freaking Lemieux in check, they should be ok. Too close to call? Yup, too close to call.
Even.
TOUGHNESS
The Pens line up includes a reformed and now super friendly Matt Cooke so they’re not as tough as they once were. I assume the Montreal Canadiens team doctors are calling to warn the Penguins just how tough the Ottawa Senators are. Bring extra ice packs, Pens.
Advantage Sens.
COACHING
I just wish every team the Senators played against was coached by Michel Therrien. The Penguins used to be but no longer are. Dan Bylsma is a great coach and I rispeck him a great deal, but he's no Walrus. Until the Sens face a team coached by MacLean's Doppelganger or maybe by this friendly fellow, I will always give the coaching edge to the Senators.
Advantage Sens.
GOALTENDING
If the league allowed it, the Penguins could stack Marc Andre Fleury and Tomas Vokoun on top of one another and they still wouldn't match Sens starter Craig Anderson.
Advantage Sens.
INTANGIBLES
This, this, this and especially this.
Advantage Sens.
PREDICTION
Ottawa Senators. In however many games it takes.
