Pittsburgh Penguins Playoff Schedule: Odds & Predictions for Opening Series

The best series in the entire Stanley Cup playoffs might happen in the first round, between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

This battle for the state of Pennsylvania will be a incredibly intense contest from start to finish, and the winner has a good chance at representing the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Odds

Most betting sites have the Penguins as the favorite to win the Stanley Cup, despite being only the No. 4 seed. At best, the team is given 7-2 odds to win it all.

The Flyers are projected as the seventh most likely to be the last team standing.

However, the battle between the two to advance to the next round should be much closer. Pittsburgh should not have better than a 60 percent chance of advancing over its rival.

Predictions

1. The series will go seven games.

Would there really be any other way to decide this intense series than to go the distance?

Both of these squads have a deep roster of scorers, as well as players who can set up teammates like Evgeni Malkin and Claude Giroux.

2. Jaromir Jagr will make a difference.

The former Penguin great is not quite the player he once was, but he can still put the puck in the back of the net.

It would be more than a little poetic if Jagr made the game-winning goal in one of the games this series.

3. Flyers will win a game in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh had the best home record in the Eastern Conference this season, but the Flyers had the best road record in the entire NHL.

Philadelphia won two of its three games at the Console Energy Center during the year, so the team will not be intimidated during the series.

4. Penguins will advance to the second round

There will be a lot of back-and-forth during the round, but Pittsburgh is simply too good.

Malkin should win the Hart Trophy and a healthy Sidney Crosby is a huge boost to the already talented offense.

If Marc-Andre Fleury plays to his ability, the Penguins will not be beaten.