Stanley Cup Playoffs: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Montreal Canadiens series preview
How Each Team Can Win, Prediction
Penguins
The Penguins are coming into this series as the overwhelming favorites, and rightfully so. Yes, they were struggling before the hiatus, but maybe a break is exactly what this team needed. We’ve rarely seen Guentzel, Crosby, and Malkin on the ice together this season, but when they’ve been together, they’ve been extremely good.
Between Murray and Jarry, the Pens have two quality options in net. If one of them falters, Sullivan has the luxury of going to the other. One has to imagine Murray will get the nod initially due to his two Stanley Cups, but Jarry’s a very nice option to go to as well.
After getting swept by the Islanders last season, you can bet Pittsburgh’s going to come into this postseason motivated to go on another long playoff run.
Canadiens
Carey Price is going to have to steal some games for the Habs to upset the Pens. It’s been roughly five years since he’s been the best goalie in the world, but if he can channel that form of himself, the Canadiens have a solid chance of pulling off a massive upset.
In a seven-game series, the Penguins would have a huge advantage. But in a five-game series, anything goes. Pittsburgh hasn’t been healthy for a while, so they might take a little bit to gel in game situations. Montreal needs to take advantage of that and put them behind the eight ball early.
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Prediction
It’s hard to predict any series since teams haven’t played since mid-March. Usually, you can look at how teams are doing going into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Obviously, that’s not an option this year. That said, as I said earlier, the Penguins are the overwhelming favorites here. But this is a five-game series and this postseason’s going to be a weird one, so the Habs still have a shot.