Penguins vs. Senators: Game 1 prediction

The Penguins look to utilize their win just three days ago to take down the Senators at home to open the Eastern Conference finals.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, and the next step in that journey comes in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Ottawa Senators.

The Penguins are working on three days rest after their Game 7 win over the Capitals on Wednesday night, and the Senators are coming off a strong series against the New York Rangers, where they won after overcoming several late-game deficits.

The Senators do have one advantage in this Game 1: they’re well-rested. While the Penguins battled the Capitals through a tough seven-game series, which included Penguins captain Sidney Crosby getting hurt in Game 3, the Senators needed just six games to down the Rangers. The Senators are beat up, with captain Erik Karlsson battling injuries throughout the postseason, and surely will feel a lot better out on the ice in Pittsburgh in Game 1 than their counterparts.

Otherwise, the Penguins should have no problem here. They have home-ice advantage, they will be less rusty on the ice (if you want to take that spin on the rest argument), and have been here multiple times before. Meanwhile, the Senators are in their first conference finals since 2007, and will be the inexperienced team in the whole equation.

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Prediction: Penguins 3, Senators 1

No matter who the Penguins throw in net between Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray, they’re going to be alright in this series. They’re riding high off the victory from Wednesday night, and will need to keep up the pace in the series opener Saturday night against the well-rested Senators. They should be all set, and Pittsburgh’s offense should carry the team past Craig Anderson in net for Ottawa to an easy win in Game 1 at home.