Bruins vs Penguins Game 1: Preview and Predictions for Stanley Cup Playoff Clash

The Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins each found themselves in heated series in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but there would be no such struggle in the second round. The result is a long rest for both teams for what should be a phenomenal Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

Both teams needed just five games to dispatch their second-round opponents, the Bruins dropping the New York Rangers and the Penguins dismantling the Ottawa Senators. Neither series gave any indication that we will see anything less than tremendous playoff hockey when the teams face off in the conference finals.

With both Western Conference Semifinals still in progress, there’s plenty of time to break down the matchup between the Bruins and Penguins. We’ll do that now and offer a preview and prediction for the matchup that will determine which squad represents the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals, starting with Game 1.

Where: Consol Energy Center; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When: TBA 

Television: TBA 

Season Series: 3-0 Pittsburgh 

Series Structure

Game	Host
1	Pittsburgh
2	Pittsburgh
3	Boston
4	Boston
5	Pittsburgh
6	Boston
7	Pittsburgh

*Games 5-7 if needed.

The Penguins and Bruins have faced off four times in the playoffs, each coming away with two series wins. But despite their Stanley Cup history, the two teams haven’t faced one another in the playoffs since 1992.

This year’s matchup was inevitable, though.

Pittsburgh boasts more depth than any team in the league, and pairs that depth with an offense that was unmatched by any team on ice in 2013. With a trio of tremendous scorers—one of whom happens to be the best player on the planet—the Penguins weren’t ever in much danger of an early-round exit, despite dropping two games in the first round.

Likewise, the Bruins feature plenty of depth that starts with four forward lines that can contend with any remaining line in the playoffs. That depth powered Boston through its series with the Rangers in short order, with much of its scoring coming from outside its starting contingent.

But there’s a reason Pittsburgh earned the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, and Boston is certainly in for a difficult matchup—especially Tuukka Rask.

The Bruins’ goalie was the star of the second round, stopping 93.6 percent of New York’s shot attempts. It was a tremendous series performance, but it won’t be easy against the best offensive team in the NHL.

In three regular-season matchups between the two clubs (all Pittsburgh wins) the Penguins netted eight goals, well below their regular-season clip of 3.38 goals per game. Led by Sidney Crosby and his seven playoff scores, Pittsburgh presents an extremely challenging task for both Rask and the Bruins’ defense.

If Boston can counter Pittsburgh’s speed and offensive prowess with the type of physicality it displayed in the second round, however, this series could get extremely interesting.

Gregory Campbell, Daniel Paille and Shawn Thornton are at the forefront of that physicality, and the trio has to continue playing a tough, gritty style of hockey in the conference finals. Stopping Crosby and Malkin will be no easy task, especially if Boston can’t counter their speed and scoring ability with physicality and toughness.

 

The Bottom Line

Playoff Statistics Comparison

	Boston	Pittsburgh
Goals Per Game	3.17	4.27
Goals Against Per Game	2.33	2.55
Save Percentage	.928	.924
Penalty Minutes	114	166
Power Play Success Rate	21.9	28.3
Penalty Kill Percentage	81.1	89.7

There isn’t anything not to love about this matchup. The Penguins feature a thrilling offense with plenty of depth and firepower, while the Bruins counter with a physical bunch that simply finds ways to win.

While Pittsburgh has the advantage on paper, it’s hard to believe this series won’t go six or seven games. There’s far too much balance across the board for either team to fall short of making this series interesting.

But the Penguins are where they are for a reason, and Boston is in for a challenge it failed to overcome in the regular season. Playoff hockey is another animal, but all signs point to the Bruins coming up just short of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Game 1 Prediction: Pittsburgh 3, Boston 1

Series Prediction: Pittsburgh in seven.