Stanley Cup Playoffs roundtable: Play-in round predictions
Here are our staff predictions for the play-in round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
On August first, an unprecedented Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin. For the first time in NHL history, 24 teams will wake up with the belief that Lord Stanley will be lifted above their heads, leaving Edmonton with the weirdest and toughest Stanley Cup that’s ever been won.
During this unique format, set up by the NHL and NHLPA to resume play due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, eight teams will receive a bye to the first round, while 16 teams battle it out for the chance to qualify for the playoffs.
Each matchup possesses its own intrigue, only boosted by the fact that every team has had an extended layoff since the season halted in mid-March. It is unknown which team will continue where they left off and which team will falter out of the gate, ending their chance at a Stanley Cup.
So which of those 16 teams will survive and advance to the best of seven matchups? We have you covered with our picks for each of the play-in round series.
(5) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (12) Montreal Canadiens
Brendan Azoff: How does Pittsburgh weigh Matt Murray’s past postseason success against Tristian Jarry’s All-Star campaign this season? That remains the lone question for the perennial contenders, who won the season series against Montreal two games to one.
The return of Jake Guentzel bodes well for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to shine here. Jonathan Drouin could have a coming-out party here, but potentially not having Max Domi is a tough blow to take. Carey Price is still a superb goaltender, and I will say he steals one game in this best-of-five. That is why I’ll take Pittsburgh in four.
Stefen Rosner: They, the infamous they, states that defense wins championships. Despite Montreal having Carey Price in net, we have seen in the past how this Canadiens’ team relies on him too much. The now 32-year old netminder has not played to expectations this season, but his playoff statistics show how good he has been on the big stage.
But despite his strong postseason numbers, there is just not enough support upfront for his team to take a series from a Pittsburgh Penguins team that scores 3.20 goals per game, with names like Crosby, Malkin, and now Guentzel coming back. Who on the young Canadiens will be able to counteract their talent? For that, the Penguins will take this series in four games.
Dave Stevenson: The Penguins have the advantage in just about every category. For the first time since early November, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Jake Guentzel are all healthy. Montreal might be without Max Domi. If they are, that’s a huge loss.
Carey Price is capable of stealing a game, but this isn’t the 2014-15 season. Price isn’t the best darn goalie in the world. I don’t care what the player’s poll says. Penguins in four.
Emmanuel: Prior to the NHL shutting down, the Montreal Canadiens were nowhere near a playoff spot and were soon-to-be mathematically eliminated. However, they have been given a second chance at life but it will be far from easy as they’ll be facing a healthy Pittsburgh Penguins with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin.
Although shutting them down will be a tough challenge, they can be mitigated if Canadiens head coach Claude Julien is on top of his game with some smart line matching. Penguins win series 3-2.
Elias Laradi: On paper, this is a total mismatch but as we dig deeper there are some good matchups and don’t count the Montreal Canadiens as an easy out. You have to remember it’s playoff hockey and anything can happen.
The Pittsburgh Penguins need to remember 2010 when they fell in 7 to the Canadiens and take them seriously. Offense wise, the Penguins offense is potent and probably the most consistent in the league with 6 20 goal scorers.
The Habs defense will have a tough task stopping Crosby, Malkin, and others. Goaltending will be a battle between Price and Murray, I give the advantage to the best goalie on the planet but Murray has done something no one else has which is to win 2 cups in his first 2 years. Canadiens in five.
Jasmine Yen: While Carey Price has the ability to steal this series, the intensity that both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will tip the scales in the Penguins’ favor. Pittsburgh geared up at the Trade Deadline while Montreal sold which is just another reason why the Penguins will take this series in four games.
Kyle Pereira: Penguins in four.
Matt McGinnis: Pittsburgh boasts offensive talent and depth that the Canadiens do not. Carey Price could make this series close, but it won’t be enough. Penguins in four.
Colton Pankiw: Penguins in four. The only reason I give this one four games is because I always have a very hard time picking sweeps, but I can’t see this being an even remotely difficult series for the Penguins.