It is just one game, and I expect the Pens (and Iginla) to come storming out and likely win this game, but even this early, there are comparables to Vancouver's series against Boston.
The Pens, of course, are this years Canucks. High flying, amazing firepower, hot goalie with a strong backup, but with questionable defensive depth and team-oriented defensive strategy. They are poised to succeed despite a couple of drawbacks because their offense is just so overwhelming. Well, it's turning out that maybe those holes are a bigger deal in the playoffs than in the regular season.
Like Vancouver, the Penguins have bulldozed through the playoffs on their near 30 percent power play. If game 1 was an indication, that's going to be much more difficult to do against the Bruins. I think it was Stay Golden above who was anticipating some ticky tack calls against the Bruins tonight, and I agree, you'll probably see that. The Penguins were working the refs hard last game, ultimately to what I think will be their disadvantage.
The Canucks had their chances against the Bruins, too. In the end though, Vancouver's best players were flustered, frustrated and eventually completely off their game as Boston continued to hound them physically, clog up the neutral zone and force turnovers along the end boards. Boston's strong and large defense nullified a lot of Vancouver's offense down low and Boston's forwards nullified much of Vancouver's finesse breakouts with board work, stick work and tenacity.
If this keeps up for Boston again tonight, I don't think it would be surprising if the Penguins were swept. The game was tight last night, but things broke along the story lines: Crosby/Malkin had trouble against Bergeron/Chara, Rask was better than Vokoun, the Bruins big wingers won the majority of their battles.
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