Personally, I don't really care who they play first round. Also, they've been a better road team than home team this year.. For what it's worth...
- MattStrat

The playoffs are all about surviving and advancing. I want the easiest possible matchup each round and preserve the chance that the low seed in the other matchup wins the seven game series and gives us an easier next round. “You gotta beat the best to be the best” isn’t necessarily true. Upsets happen.

So far it sounds like Ovi is playing, Backstrom resting.

The playoffs are all about surviving and advancing. I want the easiest possible matchup each round and preserve the chance that the low seed in the other matchup wins the seven game series and gives us an easier next round. “You gotta beat the best to be the best” isn’t necessarily true. Upsets happen.
- Victoro311

I totally understand where you're coming from but personally I've always felt that if a team has what it takes, and its meant to be, they can and will beat anyone they face.

I want that.
- j.boyd919

Entertainment wise...sure...but I would rather see them with a fully healthy line up. Geno and Letang are back, but need to log some games. The Isles are certainly less physical.

I totally understand where you're coming from but personally I've always felt that if a team has what it takes, and its meant to be, they can and will beat anyone they face.
- MattStrat

I think that works if you're, like, TB or Calgary and are a top tier contender, but for second tier contenders like us we need all the breaks we can get. We want the easiest possible matchups that we can dispatch in ~5 games so we can hit the TB juggernaut (if we even make it that far) as fresh as possible. That team is just way better than us.

Entertainment wise...sure...but I would rather see them with a fully healthy line up. Geno and Letang are back, but need to log some games. The Isles are certainly less physical.
- Doogs

The caps aren’t really a super physical team either. They just have Wilson.

I think that works if you're, like, TB or Calgary and are a top tier contender, but for second tier contenders like us we need all the breaks we can get. We want the easiest possible matchups that we can dispatch in ~5 games so we can hit the TB juggernaut (if we even make it that far) as fresh as possible. That team is just way better than us.
- Victoro311

See I think if the Pens played like they have the past month or so for most of the season, they'd have as many points in standings or more than the Flames. I think the Pens have 3 pretty strong forward lines and a goalie playing elite. When Dumo returns they could have a very strong top 4 too if they made right personnel decisions.

I think with how they've been playing the past month or so they have a really good chance at this tournament, I think they're just as equal contenders as anyone not named the Lightening... And can beat those guys too.

Obviously, as we know, alot has to go right no matter who they play.... I cant wait to see what unfolds.

Pens win the cup, beat vegas. Geno comes back n goes Malkamania gets the conn smythe book it!

See I think if the Pens played like they have the past month or so for most of the season, they'd have as many points in standings or more than the Flames. I think the Pens have 3 pretty strong forward lines and a goalie playing elite. When Dumo returns they could have a very strong top 4 too if they made right personnel decisions.

I think with how they've been playing the past month or so they have a really good chance at this tournament, I think they're just as equal contenders as anyone not named the Lightening... And can beat those guys too.

Obviously, as we know, alot has to go right no matter who they play.... I cant wait to see what unfolds.
- MattStrat

Well like you said, even in your most optimistic view point we're not equal to the Lightning, and the east runs through them. We need to go into that matchup (again if we even make it that far) as fresh as possible to even the odds a bit. Technically, we could beat TB if we drew the hardest possible matchup each round and they all went to 7 because its the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but why actively root for that like Boyd? That diminishes the odds of advancing per round.

Well like you said, even in your most optimistic view point we're not equal to the Lightning, and the east runs through them. We need to go into that matchup (again if we even make it that far) as fresh as possible to even the odds a bit. Technically, we could beat TB if we drew the hardest possible matchup each round and they all went to 7 because its the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but why actively root for that like Boyd? That diminishes the odds of advancing per round.
- Victoro311

Hahah oh I don't actively root for them first round but wouldn't care that much if it was them. You have to think you play them at some point anyways if going all the way.... Pens play the Bolts well... 13-0-2 vs them at home the past 15...