PITTSBURGH – This is going to be extremely tight. Maybe even tighter than that.
A Stanley Cup final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators is so close to call that the definitive poll on these things basically pegs it as slightly more than a 50-50 proposition.
Swedish journalist Per Bjurman of Aftonbladet reaches out to 200 influential people across the hockey world each spring to solicit a prediction. He gets responses from active players, Hall of Famers, journalists, agents and national team coaches.
Among the active players expecting Pittsburgh to win a second straight championship were Gabriel Landeskog, Victor Hedman, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Alex Wennberg and Nicklas Backstrom, whose Washington Capitals were eliminated by the Penguins in the second round.
“4-2 to Pittsburgh, but it would be fun if Nashville could surprise,” Backstrom wrote in Swedish.
Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg figured the outcome hinged on whether Penguins winger Patric Hornqvist was healthy enough to return from a suspected hand injury. After Monday’s morning skate, Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said Hornqvist was in.
“It depends on if “Bengan” Hörnqvist can play the final or not,” wrote Zetterberg in Swedish. “If he can not, I think the Predators take it in seven. But if he plays, I think instead, Penguins win in seven. He is more important to them than people think. One who you love to have on your own team, but really hate to play against, I can promise!”
Henrik Lundqvist, Loui Eriksson, Daniel Alfredsson, Victor Rask, Jonathan Ericsson and Niklas Kronwall were among those predicting that the Predators will lift their first ever Cup.
Some of those that chose not to offer a pick did so with good reason – Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson and Anaheim Ducks defenceman Hampus Lindholm are fresh off losses in the conference final.
“Yes, who wins … I really think it’s 50-50,” said Karlsson. “I have no real feeling, actually.”
“Would rather not comment on who wins, but think it will be a good series,” said Lindholm.
“I’ve been wrong all my guesses and tips so far,” said Dallas Stars defenceman John Klingberg. “This series is also impossible. Six or seven games to decide it. Do not know of any advantage. Many (overtimes) on the way there.”
As for me? I’m going with the Penguins in overtime of Game 7. It is never wise to pick against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
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