Road Wins Mark Start of NHL Conference Finals
Who's holding a Bovada/Bodog slip showing a Nashville Predators vs Ottawa Senators matchup in the 2017 Stanley Cup finals?
For the record, here were the pre-season odds they posted:
- Predators ... 18:1
- Senators ... 40:1
Frankly, it's also no surprise they're both still standing in this season's Cup chase.
Actually, the fact that Nashville's here isn't much of a surprise:
- Elite defenseman PK Subban performed like a younger Shea Weber all season long;
- Goalie Pekka Rinne is still living the legacy of Finnish netminders; and
- Sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks is no mean feat.
What's more, don't forget that the Preds eliminated Anaheim's Ducks last spring.
Dudes have the talent, the swagger, and the one-game lead in 2017's Western Conference finals:
Still, as with the Blackhawks, the Ducks are no joke.
This has the makings of another long, hard fought series.
In the East, the perpetually banged-up Pittsburgh Penguins are dealing with an Ottawa squad that boasts at least two of the same key features as Nashville:
- A game-changing defenseman in Erik Karlsson; and
- A red-hot goaltender in Craig Anderson.
The Senators have serviceable forwards, but they're not at the level of firepower Pittsburgh can roll out. However, they're grinders who pick their moments:
Ottawa's system clogs center ice in a manner reminiscent of the old New Jersey trap while depending on a deliberate possession game.
Pittsburgh's capable of shuttling the puck with amazing skill, so this series will likely turn on who controls pace of play.
And whether or not the Penguins can keep Karlsson in check.
Dude's 2+11=13 and +9 in the Sens' Cup run to date, which is no surprise to anyone who's seen the Swede's overall body of work:
Dude's gonna stretch the Pens' matchup strategies to the max.
How creative Pittsburgh is about it will likely foretell who's representing the East for the Cup.