5 Reasons Why the Penguins Will Be Better vs. the Senators

Pens vs. Sens - Story Lines Abound in This Matchup

So I haven't written anything in over a month (Being a head coach has its downside), but if you've followed me on Twitter (@BnGBlitz) you know I have been fully engaged in everything Pittsburgh...especially the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup run.  I was one of the few fans who openly said that I did NOT want to see the Islanders in the playoffs, and the first round was a perfect example of why.  Those guys are fast, and they aren't intimidated by the Mighty Penguins.  The Pens escaped (yes, I said escaped on purpose) with a series victory, and now they face the Ottawa Senators.  Welcome the 3 ring circus.  Whether its the Karlesson allegations of Matt Cooke intentionally slashing his Achilles tendon, the CSI crack crew that was sent to investigate the said incident, or Mr. Melnyk (Senators Owner) saying that Pens fans are a disgrace to their city, their team, and the sport due to inappropriate comments made towards his team.

Yes, this series should be fun and it should be much different than the Islanders series for many reason.  One of them is the fact that I feel the Penguins are going to be ALOT better than they were in Round 1....here are 5 reason why I feel that way:

- Line Changes -  The line changes Dan Bylsma made before game 5 are well documented.  Enter Tyler Kennedy and Joe Vitale, exit Beau Bennett and Jussi Jokenen.  Enter Simon Despres and exit Derek Engelland.  Enter Tomas Vokoun and exit Marc Andre Fleury.  Those are just some of the moves that were made.  The moves that I'm speaking of are the line changes that could be lethal in round 2 once these players get a feel for playing along side one another.  The most obvious, in my opinion, is the top line.  Putting Jerome Iginla with Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis was a genius move by Disco Dan.  Iginla has shown chemistry with Sid in the Olympics a few years ago, and they have created alot of chances together in the 2 games they've played along side each other.  Pascal Dupuis has shown he can play alongside anyone and will adapt to the situation.  With Iggy being sent to line 1 with Sid, that puts Chris Kunitz on the second line with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal.  This line would be the #1 line on 99% of NHL teams, but not Pittsburgh.  Kunits compliments Malkin and Neal well as he is the winger that isn't going to improvise, but rather just do his job.  Be in the spots where he is supposed to be, and cash in on those opportunities.  Another move alot of people didn't realize was Brandon Sutter being placed back with Matt Cooke and Tyler Kennedy.  This line has shown not only to be an energy line, but also productive when playing together.  Vitale, Morrow, and Adams round out the 4th line.  The fact that these lines have changed and they've now had several days / games to get acclimated together is only going to lead to success in round 2.  These lines are solid, and shouldn't change unless injury causes them to change.  Dan Bylsma has pulled the right strings so far this series...

- Full Roster - Remember when Jerome Iginla took the ice for the first time with the Pens against the Islanders?  Remember when he played with Sid for about 2 minutes before Sid's jaw was shattered by a deflected shot?  Remember when James Neal returned from a concussion only to twist his ankle and miss significant time?  Remember when Brooks Orpik got that mysterious "lower body" injury that kept him out of nearly half of the Islanders series?  Well I'm glad those are all distant memories because all of the above players are healthy and the players Ray Shero has brilliantly put together are just that...together...for once!  This team is still learning how to play alongside one another, and I think that is a HUGE advantage for the Penguins moving forward and in the 2nd round vs the Ottawa Senators.  Injuries can cripple a team's chances at hoisting the Cup (ex. - 2013 Montreal Canadiens).  Pens fans should be happy that their favorite team is getting healthy at just the right time.

- Lethal PP - The Penguins Power Play has been stellar all year, and that is with all the injuries.  Now they debate whether or not to put one of the more lethal snipers on the team (James Neal) on the top PP line.  Thats a good problem to have.  When you can skate Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang, and either Neal or Iggy out there for your Power Play...well it looks like the Harlem Globetrotters vs the Washington Generals at times.  Thats not to say this unit can't be shut down.  Watch the Penguins on the PP and if they fail to win the opening face off in the opponent's zone, they STILL struggle gaining the zone.  Alot hinges on that faceoff win.  Everyone knows the Penguins have a stellar Power Play, but it will have to be lethal vs the Senators.  This series is guaranteed to be physical and penalties will be called.  The team that can cash in on "special teams" will have a distinct advantage over the opponent.  I like the Penguins odds in this category.  This Power Play reminds me of the early 90s when Mario, Jagr, Stevens, Larry Murphy, and an assortment of other players (Bob Errey, Joey Mullen, Ron Francis) would skate out for the Power Play and all you'd hear is the Jaws music and thousands of Shark fin signs being held up in the igloo.

- Learn From Mistakes - The Penguins made alot of mistakes vs the Islanders in the opening series.  The biggest mistakes were made in turning over passes...over and over again.  For the Penguins to succeed they need to adjust and learn from their mistakes.  You don't think the Senators are implementing the same "Left Win Lock" that Pierre McGuire gushed about in round 1?  It worked for them, why wouldn't it work for Ottawa.  In other words, the Penguins need to expect it and know exactly how to beat it on a regular basis.   Learn from the past and change the future because of it.  If the Penguins can exploit the Senators in the neutral zone and cause turnovers themselves it could be a huge advantage and it could also be a swinging point in the series.  Give the Penguins chances and they will cash in...thats a guarantee.  Look at Game 6 vs the Islanders.  The Penguins were TOTALLY outworked, outhustled, and outplayed.  What lead to victory?  The Pens cashed in on their opportunities.  Lets hope the Pens learn from their mistakes in Round 1 so they can get back to playing hockey like we all know they can.

- No Longer Overlooking Opponent - I don't care what any player or fan says...the Penguins overlooked the Islanders.  ESPECIALLY after dominating game one 5-0.  The Islanders gave them a quick wake up call, and I think its safe to say the Penguins won't be overlooking any opponent for the remainder of the playoffs.  If they did, they deserve to be treated like the Washington Capitals and ousted from the tournament.  The Penguins have the ability to be the best team in the NHL if they are firing on all cylinders, and the only thing I kept telling myself watching Round 1 was that they Islanders were taking THEIR game to the Penguins, instead of the Penguins dictating their game to the Isles.  The Senators are fast, but not as fast as the Islanders were.  With that said, I can see the Penguins pushing their pace to the game and forcing the Senators on their heals.  If they can do that, and focus on every aspect of their game from the first game till the end of the series, there is no way the Penguins lose this series.  Some would say thats a big 'if', but I obviously feel that the Penguins are going to come out a different team vs Ottawa than they did vs the Islanders.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Ottawa Senators (Round 2 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Best of 7 Series)
PREDICTION - Penguins in 6