The Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators meet in round one of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Ottawa dominated at the beginning of the season, but stumbled and watched the Penguins finish second in the conference. Who will prevail in this round one match-up?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Regular Season Record: 47-27-8, 102 points
Head-to-Head Record: 1-3
Last Stanley Cup Win: 1992
Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: 1992
Last Postseason Appearance: 2007

What to watch for: Pittsburgh’s explosive offense will be the key in this series; they had the fourth best offense of the eight Eastern Conference playoff teams, and that’s with Sidney Crosby missing significant time. The Penguins have a good goalie rotation with Marc-Andre Fleury and Ty Conklin, but Fleury is slated to be the starter. With Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are primed to put on an offensive show.

Players to watch: If the Penguins go deep into the playoffs, it will depend on how Crosby and Malkin perform. Last season, they combined to post three goals and six assists in five playoff games in their first round exit. Marian Hossa will be key for the Penguins bringing playoff experience and a veteran leadership to the locker room. Fleury will need to stand on his head to guide the Penguins to the second round.

Ottawa Senators

Regular Season Record: 43-31-8, 94 points
Head-to-Head Record: 3-0-1
Last Stanley Cup Win: None
Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: 2007
Last Postseason Appearance: 2007

What to watch for: How will the goaltending hold up in the playoffs? That’s the big question being asked in Ottawa right now. Both Martin Gerber and Ray Emery have had their time as the starter, but neither has been consistent enough all season. How long will Daniel Alfredsson be out? Reports are that he will be out “weeks” and if that’s the case, it will be a short playoff run for the Senators.

Players to watch: With Alfredsson sidelined, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley will need to step up their game. Spezza led the team in scoring, but that was with Alfredsson to his right. Heatley has been in playoff situation’s before, and now it’s time for him to become the leader of the locker room while Alfredsson is hurt. Emery and Gerber will be the key to an Ottawa series victory. If one or both struggle, then they might exit pretty fast. Gerber will be the starter for Ottawa and with little playoff experience, he will rely on his team in front of him to get it done.

Schedule

Game 1 – Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm ET – Ottawa at Pittsburgh
Game 2 – Friday, April 11, 7 pm ET – Ottawa at Pittsburgh
Game 3 – Monday, April 14, 6 pm ET – Pittsburgh at Ottawa
Game 4 – Wednesday, April 16, 7 pm ET – Pittsburgh at Ottawa
*Game 5 – Saturday, April 19, TBD – Ottawa at Pittsburgh
*Game 6 – Sunday, April 20, TBD – Pittsburgh at Ottawa
*Game 7 – Tuesday, April 22, TBD – Ottawa at Pittsburgh
* - if necessary

Prediction: Pittsburgh in six