From Pierre LeBrun, here is The Athletic's assessment of the series through the lens of two unidentified head coaches:
No question there was clear hesitance from both coaches in figuring out who they liked in this series.
I’m similarly torn on this one.
“The Isles don’t have an elite group, (Barry Trotz) has done a hell of a job to get them where they’re at,” said head coach No. 1. “Their goalies have played elite but they’re not elite. But something’s not right with Pittsburgh.
“Their secondary guys aren’t as good as they used to be. I’ll pick the Islanders because I love their mojo right now, that barn will be going. It’s a real home-ice advantage. But it’s really a toss-up of a series.’’
Head coach No. 2 went the other way, but not with any real conviction.
“I’m going to go with Pitt,” he said. “I think that playoff experience, I think the star power they have, I think when Pitt is dialed in, Mike (Sullivan) will have them going.
“My concern with the Islanders is that they overachieved this year, they bought in to the defensive part of the game, their goalies have been excellent. I think if the other team checks them just as well, I don’t know if they’ll be able to score enough. This is a tough one for me because I think they actually could check Pittsburgh out of the series but I just don’t have that feeling. I think Pittsburgh has been better down the stretch.’’
But again, it’s close for him.
“I do think Matt Murray will have to be the difference in the series,” said coach No. 2. “I don’t think Pittsburgh is that strong defensively. But I just don’t know if the Islanders have enough high-end talent to pull it off.’’
My pick: One could actually make the argument Sidney Crosby is having one of his most impressive seasons if you consider how he’s carried this squad at times. Overall, the Penguins have lacked consistency but No. 87 has been there every night to pull them into the fight. Kris Letang, too, has been all-world. But I, too, see a fading Penguins team overall. The Isles’ work ethic and defensive commitment is second to none this season. They just suffocate the opposition. Imagine being the league’s 31st team in goals against a year ago and then winning the Jennings 12 months later. Barry Trotz magic. But can they score enough to win a playoff series? I struggle with that. They’re the lowest-scoring team among the eight Eastern playoff teams.
I have very little feel for this series. I can easily be talked into why each side would prevail. When in doubt, the tiebreaker goes to the team with the guy who has done a lot of winning in his life.
Penguins in 7. Game 7 goes to double OT.
I’m similarly torn on this one.
“The Isles don’t have an elite group, (Barry Trotz) has done a hell of a job to get them where they’re at,” said head coach No. 1. “Their goalies have played elite but they’re not elite. But something’s not right with Pittsburgh.
“Their secondary guys aren’t as good as they used to be. I’ll pick the Islanders because I love their mojo right now, that barn will be going. It’s a real home-ice advantage. But it’s really a toss-up of a series.’’
Head coach No. 2 went the other way, but not with any real conviction.
“I’m going to go with Pitt,” he said. “I think that playoff experience, I think the star power they have, I think when Pitt is dialed in, Mike (Sullivan) will have them going.
“My concern with the Islanders is that they overachieved this year, they bought in to the defensive part of the game, their goalies have been excellent. I think if the other team checks them just as well, I don’t know if they’ll be able to score enough. This is a tough one for me because I think they actually could check Pittsburgh out of the series but I just don’t have that feeling. I think Pittsburgh has been better down the stretch.’’
But again, it’s close for him.
“I do think Matt Murray will have to be the difference in the series,” said coach No. 2. “I don’t think Pittsburgh is that strong defensively. But I just don’t know if the Islanders have enough high-end talent to pull it off.’’
My pick: One could actually make the argument Sidney Crosby is having one of his most impressive seasons if you consider how he’s carried this squad at times. Overall, the Penguins have lacked consistency but No. 87 has been there every night to pull them into the fight. Kris Letang, too, has been all-world. But I, too, see a fading Penguins team overall. The Isles’ work ethic and defensive commitment is second to none this season. They just suffocate the opposition. Imagine being the league’s 31st team in goals against a year ago and then winning the Jennings 12 months later. Barry Trotz magic. But can they score enough to win a playoff series? I struggle with that. They’re the lowest-scoring team among the eight Eastern playoff teams.
I have very little feel for this series. I can easily be talked into why each side would prevail. When in doubt, the tiebreaker goes to the team with the guy who has done a lot of winning in his life.
Penguins in 7. Game 7 goes to double OT.
