No. 1 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (36-12-0) VS No. 8 NEW YORK ISLANDERS (24-17-7)
STRENGTHS
PENGUINS: They boast the most potent offence in the NHL, averaging 3.38 goals a game and ranking second to Washington on the power play. They have managed to forge the best record in the Eastern Conference despite the loss of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal and defenceman Kris Letang for significant periods of time. The good news for the Penguins — and bad news for anyone they face — is that Crosby has been cleared to play after breaking his jaw and Pittsburgh should be at full strength for the playoffs. And if the Penguins weren’t already good enough, they reloaded at the trading deadline when they acquired Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Douglas Murray and Jussi Jokinen.
ISLANDERS: They rely heavily on their top line of Matt Moulson and Brad Boyes flanking John Tavares, who is very much in the conversation for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player. He finished the season with 28 goals to rank third behind Alexander Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos. The Islanders have a decent power play with Tavares and Moulson up front but it could be better if defenceman Mark Streit elevates his game.
WEAKNESSES
PENGUINS: The only weakness in the Penguins’ game is the goaltending, which ranks in the middle of the pack. Marc-Andre Fleury has been inconsistent but he is among the league leaders in wins with 22 because he has great offensive support. Pittsburgh also has to deal with high expectations. The Penguins have been bounced in the first round of the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and have won only one playoff round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2009.
ISLANDERS: There were no expectations for this club, which finished 14th in the Eastern Conference last season and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2007. The Islanders needed a late-season push to claim a berth but this is a young team that is still a year or two away from being a serious contender. The defence ranks 21st in the league and the team relies heavily on goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, who started 41 games and won 23.
BREAKING IT DOWN
FOR THE PENGUINS TO WIN: If Pittsburgh plays its game, this series is a sweep. For the Islanders to win: They can look to the Los Angeles Kings for inspiration, but it will take a miracle — and an inspired Tavares — to pull off an upset.