I will be back this afternoon with my pick for the Rangers and Senators, but we have to start here...
Pittsburgh vs. Washington
The toughest part of picking this one is you have to sort of throw out everyhting you usually look to...and by that I mean..The Regular Season.
The Caps were better during the year and there is little doubt the Caps are a better all-around team....
The biggest x-Factor here may be in goal for Pittsburgh. The latest I have heard (as of this writing) is the Penguins may or may not have Matt Murray healthy soon. In saying that I am also hearing Fleury has won this job by his performance against Columbus...But all that could change quickly against the Caps if they beat MAF once or twice.
Career wise, versus the Caps, Regular Season:
Marc Andre Fleury 20-12-2, GAA 2.60 SV% .913
Matt Murray 2-2 GAA 4.43 SV%.862
But in the playoffs...
Matt Murray 4-2 GAA 2.40 SV% 926
Marc Andre Fleury 4-3 GAA 3.01 SV% .878
In the Regular season Holtby is 7-7 versus the Pens with a GAA 2.77 and a SV% of .914
In the playoffs Hotlby is 2-4 with a 2.57 and a SV% of .923
Last year when these teams met both Holtby and Murray were the story. Both were spectacular and both had save percentages above .920..
In the end this one is too close to call, but the Penguins get the benefit of the doubt until the Champs are dethroned..