The Columbus Blue Jackets had the 4th most wins on home ice this season. The Pittsburgh Penguins were the second best team at home. How will this affect the first round playoff series?
The most anticipated first round matchup of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs is certainly the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins. Arguably the two best teams in the league will face off in the first round thanks to yet another brilliant decision from the NHL that will eliminate a top team after the first two weeks.
That being said this series will be close. The difference between winning and loosing the series will probably come down to one small factor. A bad call that ends in a power play goal, an goalie standing on his head for one crucial period, or a team has just a bit more of a push from the home crowd late in the third period.
Both teams will play well at home. During the season series both teams were able to successfully defend their home ice. During the four matchups, both Columbus and Pittsburgh won their two home games. Each team was able to pick up a road overtime point though in one game. That won’t matter in the playoffs though.
With their lackluster finish to the season, the Columbus Blue Jackets may have given the Pens a series deciding advantage. By not finishing strong, the Pens were able to pass the Jackets and ensure a game seven would be played in Pittsburgh.
Related Story: Pens vs CBJ Regular Season Wrap Up
Columbus Blue Jackets
Game 7 Nightmare
Playing a game seven in Pittsburgh is a bad scenario for the Jackets. The CBJ are young and inexperienced. The pressure and pace of the playoffs will be a challenge for them to overcome in the first few games of the series as is. That pressure and pace is cranked up to an 11 on a scale from 1 to 10 in a game seven on the road.
That pressure and pace is on top of the fact the Pens are almost unbeatable at PPG Arena. They led the league in home points this season with 66. Pittsburgh only were beat outright at home six times the entire year. They defend their home ice better than anyone else in the league. It will certainly make it tough for the CBJ to win if it ends up in a game seven situation.
That’s why it is vital that the Jackets win an early game in Pittsburgh. Stealing one of the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh will be infinitely easier than winning the deciding game of the series in enemy territory.
If the series ends up going to a game seven, I have a hard time believing the Jackets can win. That’s why I picked them in six games. The Jackets must jump on the Pens in one of the first two games and defend NWA to make it to the second round.
Avoid game seven and the Jackets stand a chance at moving on. If not, they will be wondering why they didn’t finish out the season stronger and earn home ice for themselves.