The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

There's really no point in comparing the strengths and weaknesses of my Sens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. They've finished with the exact same amount of points, Ottawa only getting home ice advantage because of more wins. In four meetings Ottawa has one victory while Pittsburgh has three, but two of those wins were in shootouts.

Murray announces his team as the underdog, while Penguins coach Michel Therrien says the same thing. Everyone points to the Penguins youth, but Ottawa's average age compared to Pittsburgh is only a 1/2 year older.

Ottawa has experience, but Pittsburgh has nothing to lose. Ottawa can score goals, while Pittsburgh has about the same amount. The Pens have the most prolific point getter in the NHL in Sidney Crosby and likely Calder winner Evgeni Malkin, while the Sens have the best goal-scorer in the game, Dany Heatley and one of the best set-up players in Jason Spezza.

You may look at the goaltending and give Ray Emery the edge, but his improvement over the regular season won't be remembered if he can't bring it in the playoffs. Fleury has little experience, but he's hardly outmatched in that area.

It's really close, and that's why it's going to be a stressful time for me this series. Despite my faith in my Sens, this isn't going to be easy. Let's go with Ottawa in seven with that home ice advantage being the difference.

(If they can make it a boring, four game sweep, I wouldn't be complaining for one second.)