The Pittsburgh Penguins will enter the postseason as the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference and second best team overall. As they prepare for an opening series against the New York Islanders, they hope to be with their top player, Sidney Crosby. While many do not see the Islanders as contenders to beat the Penguins, the team is hoping the series offers playing time to Crosby, a player they will need in order to have a chance at winning the championship.
Crosby has been skating during team practices since April 15. While he has received clearance to participate in practice, he has yet to be given the ok to play in the team's first playoff game on Wednesday. The captain is still recovering from surgery to repair a broken jaw. It has been over four weeks since the initial injury, so the team is hopeful that he can make a full return for the postseason. Crosby will visit team doctors on Wednesday with the hopes of being told all is good for him to play.
If Crosby is healthy, the Penguins could be at full strength for their series against the Islanders. Paul Martin and Evgeni Malkin, who were sidelined throughout much for the beginning of April, are all expected to be ready for Game 1. Pairing those three with Jussi Jokinen who has knocked in five goals and nine points since joining the team after a trade could make this series a breeze for the Penguins.
The Islanders barely made it in to the playoffs at the eighth seeded team in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins feasted on them during much of the regular season. They dropped four games to the team with a combined score of 16-5. John Tavares is in consideration for the Hart Trophy after garnering 47 points in 48 games. He will likely be looked upon to carry much of the weight of the team. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov has championship experience from his time with the San Jose Sharks. The Islanders will certainly rely on someone with postseason experience.
On paper, this matchup should be easy for Pittsburgh to cruise through, but if they continue to be without Crosby and Islanders stick to a game plan of solid defense, it could be closer than people assume.