Pens and Rangers

The wait is over, the Pens will face off against the New York Rangers in the second round. It seems that it has been a year since the Pens last played, and I'm sure Ranger fans feel the same way. This series will be a classic. Great goal tending at both ends, high scoring probability, and in your face style of play. These teams fared pretty even in the regular season. The Rangers won the season series 5-3, but they won 3 of those games in October and November....the Pens weren't playing so well then. I'm interested in Sean Avery and Jarkko Ruutu. I think they will try to out pest each other and hopefully Ruutu comes out on top. The key to the series will be special teams. If it comes to special teams, I have to give the edge to the Pens. The Pens power play wasn't anything to get overly excited about in round one, but their penalty kill was unbelievable! The Rangers on the other hand weren't bad with the power play, but they struggled with the offensively challenged New Jersey Devils on the penalty kill, not to mention they gave a couple 5 on 3's to the Devils. If the Pens get a ton of power play chances, the Rangers will have trouble in the series. If the Pens avoid stupid penalties, I don't see how they can lose. This will be a hard fought series with hopefully a good outcome in favour of the Pens.

Key Players:

Pit.-Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Jordan Staal. Crosby plays well against NYR, and so does Staal. Fleury needs to stay solid, he hasn't shown any blemishes so far and he needs to continue that.

NYR-Jaromir Jagr, Chris Drury, Henrik Lundqvist. Jagr kills the Pens due to the hate he developed for the Pens while in the burgh' and Drury is clutch, hence his nick name "Captain Clutch." Henrik needs to be Henrik, if he is not solid, the Rangers won't be.

Game 1 is Friday, and the rumor is Sidney Crosby asked for it to be a "white out." Lets Go Pens!!!!