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Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017: Nashville vs. Pittsburgh Series Prediction

By Matt Duscharme |
May 28, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins them jerseys on display during media day before the start of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins them jerseys on display during media day before the start of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Stanley Cup Playoffs: The Stanley Cup Finals Between Pittsburgh and Nashville Start on Monday. Who Will Win it? You’ll Have to Read to Find Out!

BREAKDOWN OF THE TEAMS ALL POST-SEASON:
Pittsburgh has had quite the Stanley Cup Playoffs considering they are the reigning champs, they had a quick and easy series against Columbus but then had two straight back to back game seven series’ against Ottawa and Washington. Now the team could very well be tired and worn out, but they still have the young legs, experienced vets and will to go out and win. Nashville has had a pretty awesome post-season as well. They first eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks in four straight, then beat out St. Louis in six games and finally took out Anaheim in another six. This series is going to be close because everywhere on the ice both teams are nearly identical.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins /

Pittsburgh Penguins

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Jan 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) handles the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) handles the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Nashville’s power play hasn’t been where it needs to be they have way too much offense for it not to be clicking every single night. It currently sits 12th in the playoffs at only 14.9 percent, now when you’re up against a team like Pittsburgh that’s an area that needs to see a rise or it will be the demise of the team. But in all reality what may help them even things out is their penalty kill which sits fourth at 88.1 percent. But most of that has to do with the stellar play given to the team by goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Another way things tend to even out is the fact Pittsburgh’s penalty kill is at 85.5 percent which sits eighth in the playoffs, four slots above Nashville’s power play. Pittsburgh power play, on the other hand, sits third in the playoffs at 25.0 percent which is one slot ahead of Nashville’s penalty kill. So things are quite even if you look at it that way. So this comes down to which goaltender can handle the heat on the penalty kill because as of now, both are pretty much tied.

EDGE: Draw

OFFENSE:

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) looks on in Penguins black and yellow (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) looks on in Penguins black and yellow (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) /

Both teams have tremendous offensive cores, Pittsburgh has Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby, Conor Sheary, Bryan Rust, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Scott Wilson, Nick Bonino, Patric Hornqvist, Carter Rowney, Matt Cullen, Tom Kuhnhackl, Daniel Sprong and Carl Hagelin. All of these guys are offensive dynamos and some are the grittiest players in the game. As for Nashville, they have Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson, Calle Jarnkrok, Mike Fisher, Miikka Salomaki, Colin Wilson, Colton Sissons, James Neal, Harry Zolnierczyk, Vernon Fiddler, Austin Watson, and Kevin Fiala, another team with a ton of scoring and a load of grit. So how well have they done so far this post season? Nashville has only managed to score 47 goals while Pittsburgh has managed to net 58.

EDGE: Pittsburgh

DEFENSE:

May 18, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (4) against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Another place where both teams are extremely close is on the backend. Nashville’s defensive core is filled with a ton of offensive minded guys that can also play tight in their own end making things extremely awesome for the team. They have Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, P.K. Subban, Matt Irwin, and Yannick Weber, this core has played great and has only allowed 29 goals against which comes back to the evening out part. Because Pittsburgh has allowed 44 goals against, so while one team is better offensively, another is better defensively, much like their respective power plays and penalty kills. And here’s what Pittsburgh has on the backend, Ian Cole, Justin Schultz, Olli Maatta, Trevor Daley, Brian Dumoulin, Ron Hainsey, and Kris Letang.

EDGE: Nashville

GOALTENDING:

May 23, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) takes a drink at the bench during warmups prior to playing Ottawa Senators in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) takes a drink at the bench during warmups prior to playing Ottawa Senators in game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, what else can be said about these two goaltenders? Pekka Rinne has been the backbone, cornerstone, or whatever other words you can think of for the Predators. But if he falters in this series who does the team have to rely on? Juuse Saros who will be way over his head. Now over to Pittsburgh, they have two bonafide starters in Matthew Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury. Which puts them in a great spot because if one falls it’s not that big of a deal.

EDGE: Pittsburgh

SERIES OUTCOME:

As you can see both teams are pretty much even, causing a tie in special teams, with wins going to Pittsburgh in goaltending and offense. However, defense wins championships an area in which Nashville has the edge in this breakdown. But this series is going to come down to a lot more than that. It’s going to be a battle of two teams, one of which who wants to repeat for the first time in more than two decades. And another who has touched the finals for the first time in franchise history and that wants to make a statement. This series is going to be extremely exciting and seriously close.

Next: Nashville After First Stanley Cup

FINAL SERIES RECORD: Pittsburgh wins series 4 games to 2 (maybe 3)

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