This has the potential to be a great series.
Ottawa has become a big, rough, and physical team, with balanced scoring and a pretty good, although streaky, goaltender.
Pittsburgh obviously has the big 2 (which ottawa has historically shut down pretty well), and a pretty good supporting cast. they have an equally streaky goalie, but one who has the potential to be great at times.
my keys for Ottawa - Elliott has to be big for Ottawa. he can't afford to take a game off, and he certainly can't be letting in weak goals. Ottawa's defense has to be physical. they have an enormous size advantage, and they need to use it to put bodies on pittsburgh's big guns. and up front, they need all the lines to role, if they rely too much on the top line, they're gonna be sunk. Easier said then done, with kovalev now out for the season. say what you want about his lack of effort, but the guy has shown up in the playoffs his entire career. and even if he didn't, he still demands attention from the other team, which opens up ice for other players.
my keys for pittsburgh - Fleury has to find his form that he had in last years playoffs. if he continues playing the way he has the last month or so, i can't see pitt winning this series. Pittsburgh needs their secondary scoring to step up. The sens have enjoyed tremendous success shutting down both crosby and malkin (crosby has lower productivity against ottawa then any other team). Pitts defense has to avoid turnovers at all costs. the sens thrive on turnovers, and are one of the better counter attacking teams in the NHL.
all in all, this has the potential to be one of the better 1st round match ups this year, and i already got my tickets for game 3.
GO SENS GO
Ottawa has become a big, rough, and physical team, with balanced scoring and a pretty good, although streaky, goaltender.
Pittsburgh obviously has the big 2 (which ottawa has historically shut down pretty well), and a pretty good supporting cast. they have an equally streaky goalie, but one who has the potential to be great at times.
my keys for Ottawa - Elliott has to be big for Ottawa. he can't afford to take a game off, and he certainly can't be letting in weak goals. Ottawa's defense has to be physical. they have an enormous size advantage, and they need to use it to put bodies on pittsburgh's big guns. and up front, they need all the lines to role, if they rely too much on the top line, they're gonna be sunk. Easier said then done, with kovalev now out for the season. say what you want about his lack of effort, but the guy has shown up in the playoffs his entire career. and even if he didn't, he still demands attention from the other team, which opens up ice for other players.
my keys for pittsburgh - Fleury has to find his form that he had in last years playoffs. if he continues playing the way he has the last month or so, i can't see pitt winning this series. Pittsburgh needs their secondary scoring to step up. The sens have enjoyed tremendous success shutting down both crosby and malkin (crosby has lower productivity against ottawa then any other team). Pitts defense has to avoid turnovers at all costs. the sens thrive on turnovers, and are one of the better counter attacking teams in the NHL.
all in all, this has the potential to be one of the better 1st round match ups this year, and i already got my tickets for game 3.
GO SENS GO
