i know the pens would be favored in this matchup but i think it'll be a good series. the only problem for the isles is the pens have 3 very capable scoring lines and that's too much for guys like pelech and pulock

That lineup will be glorious. But in all seriousness, I like the idea of not risking injury, and it'll be good for some guys like Wahlstrom, Komorav, and Zajac to prove themselves to start in the playoffs, and it'' be nice for Cory to get a game.

Isles fan here,

It will be a good series. Itll be tight games, that'll get nasty. The isles will win the physical battles, while I see the Pens having quick starts, and will shut down the isles lack of star power.

I agree the the Pens star power will be tough for the isles to contain, but Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, the 4th and 3rd lines, and when they want to, Dobson and Mayfield are very capable of shutting teams down. I think it’s a stalemate when you put the Pens Offense against the Isles defense. The isles physicality bodes well for the isles, but the Pens have their fair share. Where I see it coming down to is, can the Pens defense contain the isles lack of star power, but great scoring depth.

ya and the pens have the benefit of their top two lines cancelling out the isles top 2 lines and the pens have a stronger bottom 6 i think (when fully healthy) anything can happen tho so it'll be interesting

That’s the goal. Think even Ross and MDC can fight to get into the lineup. I do think Trotz knows his best lineup, which features a top line Leo. But perhaps that’ll change.

if they get matheson back, i know its weird to hear, but i think they can step up and they've been doing it all year. may the best system win tho

Exactly. I give the Pens the edge. While you can’t put anything past Trotz to brilliantly put a good gameplan together, I worry that the Pens are just too good right now. That’s why I don’t really hate the idea of playing stout defensive forwards to help contain the Pens. Gotta win games 2-1.

Won't be too much for those two. It will be too much for Leddy and Mayfield though, they are atrocious together

I'm saying Pens in 5, although it will be a good 5 games

all games will tight for sure. varlamov or sorokin have to be vezina like too