Rnd 1: Ottawa vs _______

[Madferret]

Looking at the standings, it looks like its going to be either Pittsburgh, Tampa, or Atlanta in the first round. It looks more and more like its going to be the Pens.

Who do you think / hope its going to be and why?

[Iced Tea]

What happens if you just jinxed the Sens, they lose the rest of their games and miss the playoffs? :D

If they do make the playoffs, any team other than the rotten Leafs in the first round is a good thing. If it's the Penguins, Fluery isn't a top tier goalie yet so the Sens should be able to take them.

[Max Power]

The Pens are only 4 games back from NJ so I say NJ since it's not in your poll =]

Seriously though Pens don't have a tough schedule and could easily leapfrog NJ if they falter at all.
To be honest I’m not optimistic this year as our secondary scoring has been sketchy and our defense has let Emery see way to much rubber this year. If we have home advantage then we should be ok for the first round as we get last change and can put Philips and Volchenkov against the best lines. Even then both Pens and Thrashers scare me because of their firepower. The only advantage we should have is much better D then all three of those teams but that’s only if Mez and Redden decide they’d like to play.
The only good thing about this is this is the first run in 3 years that I don’t expect much so maybe that’s good as they’ll for sure not be favorites this year

[Man.Utd]

It's more than likely going to be Pittsburgh .

But they will simply not win the Cup. In every single facet of the game they seem too young, too inexperienced, and too inconsistant. It's even worse that these 3 issues are most present in goal in starter Marc Andre Fleury. With goaltending being by far the most important position in hockey and even more crucial come April, the Pens are pretenders and not contenders.

Unfortunatly for us as likely opening opponants, they may very well be good for a round or two in what will seem like a miracle run - new arena and all - before it gets cut short.

Still, I think we take them in 6 or less for the reasons above.

[Max Power]

Don't look now but NJ and the Pens are tied
NJ has a game in hand but with their injuries and Marty not playing as well as before I still think it's a good chance we'll face them

[Madferret]

The way both teams are playing right now, I'd take the Devils over the Pens.

[Max Power]

The way both teams are playing right now, I'd take the Devils over the Pens.

Yah I think we play well against NJ and have more confidence in our D being able to shut their offence down the Pens. Not only that but Brodeur has never really shut the Sens down like he has other teams so I really like the match up.
A first round victory over NJ would give the team a good boost