Lightning vs. Penguins: Series preview and prediction

Series Preview

Pittsburgh enters this series having won eight of their 11 postseason games. They destroyed the Rangers in five games and took out the Caps in six games despite only outscoring the Caps by one goal. Pittsburgh has Mike Sullivan behind the bench, who has quickly emerged as one of the best head coaches in the NHL. Though the Jack Adams finalists are about as fine of a trio as you’re going to find in the NHL, he should have been a finalist.

The Lightning enter this series once again as underdogs. That’s nothing new for them as people have been doubting them all postseason.How have they won despite losing their captain and a terrific defensemen? Because Victor Hedman, Jonathan Drouin, Nikita Kucherov, and Tyler Johnson have played incredibly. They’re a deep team that can get contributions from all over their lineup.

What will the series come down to? The Penguins must get production from their top guys and the Lightning must get production from theirs.

Tampa Bay might have the advantage in that regard, as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin combined for four points and zero goals against the Capitals. However, their forward depth shined as Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino, and Carl Hagelin put on a show. Kucherov, Hedman, Johnson, and Drouin have combined for 43 points this postseason in 10 games. The Lightning will also need to get Stralman back healthy.

The series will also come down to goaltending. Matt Murray has a legitimate chance to be the first player since Ken Dryden to win a Conn Smythe before being eligible to win a Calder Trophy. He was the Penguins’ best player in the second round. That said, Ben Bishop has the slight advantage because he’s been equally as good as Murray and he has more experience. When all other things are equal, take the guy with more experience.

Next: Prediction