The Ottawa Senators look formidable as did the NY rangers in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson is as formidable as ever. In spite of that, I'm going to pick the Pittsburgh Penguins in 7 games over Ottawa. The Penguins showed resiliency against the Washington Capitals, ejecting them from the playoffs once again. The Capitals played dirty during this recent playoff series with the Penguins, with illegal hits that took the Penguins best player out for a game with a concussion, Center Sidney Crosby.
The Penguins have won eight of the previous nine meetings with the Capitals, the lone exception being 1994. I'm guessing none of the Washington Capitals players have kitchens or cook in their homes because they can't stand the heat.
The best in the Western Conference, the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild, are already out. I had hoped the Detroit Red Wings would have played better this year as well. I will bet the Nashville Predators will be battling the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Stanley Cup and the Penguins will win the cup as they did last year.
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