Postmedia writers favour Pengiuns

Don’t think for a second this series is going to be a sweep — get ready to watch these two teams cross the country a couple of times.

On paper, the Penguins and Sharks both look evenly matched. They can score goals, they’re playing well enough defensively to get by and, at this juncture and they’re getting great goaltending.

Which team has the pressure?

Neither really arrived in the playoffs with any great expectations, especially after the Sharks missed the playoffs last spring and the Penguins fired coach Mike Johnston midway through the season, but here they are. Pick: Pittsburgh in six Conn Smythe: Matt Murray I really do get the vibe that this series is going to be seventh heaven for hockey fans.

These teams are so close in terms of both competitive levels and talent, there is almost an expectation that this matchup will go the distance.

Both have firepower up front, but the Pens explosive third line of Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin gives the edge in terms of forward depth to Pittsburgh here. On the other hand, the loss of Trevor Daley leaves the Penguins with the thinner blue line, especially when the Sharks effectively cycle the puck. Edge on defence: Sharks.

Both teams have relatively inexperienced starting goalies in Matt Murray and Martin Jones so that’s even.

After covering the Penguins for three rounds, I’m leaning toward Pittsburgh. But the Sharks easily could win this thing, too. The only thing I’m confident about in terms of prognostications is that it will be a long series, likely one that goes seven. Pick: Pittsburgh in seven Conn Smythe: Sidney Crosby