The Ottawa Senators are a sneaky team with a tough, uphill climb ahead of them against the Carolina Hurricanes. The ‘Canes are playoff regulars at this point, making eight straight trips to the Stanley Cup Playoffs under the guidance of head coach Rod Brind’Amour. There is no doubt that the Hurricanes will score, as they have seven players with 20 or more goals, and that is directly attributed to how well they share the puck as a team. Jordan Stall, Carolina’s captain, leads a highly talented third line that includes Nikolaj Ehlers and Jordan Martinook.

Ottawa features three quick centers that are 25 years old or younger: Tim Stützle, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto. The Senators’ captain, Brady Tkachuk, is also a force to be reckoned with, as he will drop the gloves to stand up for any of his teammates. Brandon Bussi, one of the Carolina Hurricanes goalies, has been a breath of fresh air in net and a fun storyline throughout the regular season. He has posted a 31-6-2 record in his first season in the NHL. Between him and Frederik Andersen, Carolina will go as far as that tandem takes them. Linus Ullmark, the starting goalie for Ottawa, must step up to the occasion to keep the Senators in the series.

Prediction: Ottawa Senators Vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Brind’Amour has his Hurricanes prepared for each game like it is game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, and Ottawa is not as prepared. The duo of Andersen and Bussi for the Hurricanes blow away Tkachuk and the Senators in five games to advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Philadelphia Flyers Vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

After three consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins are back and much improved. They are facing off against their instate rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, who have not been to the playoffs since 2020. Both of these teams may not have recent postseason experience, but it will be a matchup that is must-see TV. The Penguins are led by first-year head coach and Jack Adams Award candidate, Dan Muse, who has the team on a heater.

The usual suspects for Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, are joined by a resurgent Erik Karlsson and Anthony Mantha, along with the sensational rookie, Ben Kindel. The Flyers are a physical team that is headlined by captain Sean Couturier and his surrounding cast of Trevor Zegras, Owen Tippett, Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, and Travis Sanheim. Flyers’ goalie, Dan Vladar, will have his hands full with the offensive juggernaut that is the Penguins. Between the tandem of Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs, Pittsburgh should be able to withstand the pressure from Philadelphia.

Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers Vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

This series will be one to watch, not just because Crosby will get another chance for a Stanley Cup push, but because of how entertaining this rivalry is for the NHL and the sport of hockey. Crosby and the Penguins will take care of the high-flying Zegras and his fellow Flyers in the Battle of Pennsylvania after a hard-fought seven-game series.