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We are getting to the point in the season where certain playoff match ups are feeling inevitable. One such match up, that really excites me, is the Pittsburgh Penguins versus the New York Islanders. This series pretty much has it all.
*Both teams have crazy unknowns.
This Islanders team has only seen the playoffs twice over the past decade and never gotten out of the first round, yet the last time they made it to the playoffs they gave a Penguins team many predicted to sweep them all they could handle.
This Penguins team has plenty of playoff experience. The only thing holding them back is probably themselves. We have seen many Penguins teams dominate in the regular season only to choke in the playoffs, so it almost feels as if this team, which has been devastated by injuries all year, could reverse that scenario.
* Both teams have forgotten how to score lately
If you go back to the midway point of the season, you are going to see two of the top scoring teams in the NHL. But if you base things off of the past few weeks, you are going to see two of the worst scoring teams in the NHL.
* Both teams have two of the best players in the world.
Evgeni Malkin aside, it's Sidney Crosby versus John Tavares. One has a Stanley Cup and a Gold Medal, while one has never won a playoff series. Both are having great seasons and yet both have seen their share of criticism lately.
* Both teams have incredibly interesting stories in Goal.
Marc-Andre Fleury has had a very good season for the Penguins, but none of that will matter until he wins in the playoffs again. Jaro Halak has also been a phenomenal story for the Islanders and the last time he was in the playoffs against the Penguins, well need I say more?
* Historically
The all-time series is crazy close.
Regular Season: The Islanders have won 102 games and scored 829 goals. The Penguins have won 111 games And scored 834 goals. There have been 22 ties.
Over the last 3 years: The Islanders have won 5 games and scored 38 goals. The Penguins have won 8 games and scored 44 goals.
This Year: The Islanders have won 3 games and scored 16 goals. The Penguins have won 1 game and scored 11 goals.
They end the season on April 10th against each other...
What's the Buzz? Who would you take?
We will discuss all this and more on today's HockeyBuzzCast