Bolts vs Pens Game 1, Round 1. Nothing worth winning... Ever came easy.

In a little under 2 hours the Penguins and the Lightning will face off on hockey's greatest stage, the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There had been many signs leading up to the culmination of the regular season that these two teams would be facing off in the first round, that outcome is now the reality. In this reality, the Penguins are without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, something you will hear much of through out the series. In this reality, Tyler Kennedy is the biggest offensive threat, Marc Andre Fleury is the pillar of hope, and the Defensive corps will look to continue to murder all the penalties it faces.

One team has all the offense, the other team has all the defense. Tampa's netminder is getting up there in age, Pittsburgh's on the other hand has been here now 5 straight seasons. Losing one in a fateful game 7 at home, then holding on to steal one in game 7 on the road with an amazing save in the final seconds. Here are the last 3 minutes of that game:



The moral of all this? The Penguins have veterans with cup experience,  young guns with cup experience, and only 3 players on the team debuting in their first playoff games. James Neal, Ben Lovejoy, and Deryk Engelland all have not played in an NHL playoff game in their careers. Lovejoy was a part of the team during the 2009 cup run and is technically a champion even though he did not participate. The two blueliners will look to make their presence known to the offense when out on the ice, and could make or break a game very easily. Neal, who if you didn't know is in some kind of slump, should use this experience as a time to become the hero. Difficult task however as he still will have all that first line spotlight on him without Crosby centering his line.



In case you hadn't heard, Crosby's not going to be playing and could miss the first round due to still not starting contact practice. So for anyone who thought the organization was bringing him back too soon, guess again as it hasn't happened yet. If you haven't seen the hits by Steckel or Hedman yet this year for whatever reason, be prepared to see it all playoffs long. Pittsburgh is also without the services of penalty killer and professional cookie, Matt Cooke for the first round due to suspension. His absence during the P.K has definitely been noticeable down the stretch of the final few games of the season and will certainly be mentioned any time the Pens give up a P.P goal.



Get your minds ready for playoff hockey because everything you saw in the regular season doesn't mean anything now that it's crunch time. Shootout wins? Who needs em, unlimited overtimes now. 16 teams are 0-0 and 16 teams have one goal, 16 wins and a Stanley Cup championship. Pittsburgh are you ready to answer the call? Hope you're wearing white because they're calling for white out conditions in the 'Burgh.

Do it Pens. LETS GO!