With a few small differences, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers have had very similar statistics at season's end. They both ended with 99 points and 264 total goals. The Penguins ended with one more win, giving them home rink advantage in this game, but the Flyers have given up one goal less than the Penguins. Both teams have great offenses, solid defenses, and strong goalies. Looking at statistics will not help anyone predict a winner here.

A game not governed by numbers should not be predicted by numbers. That is why I feel that the Penguins will win this exciting and close match-up. The Penguins have played much better defensively with the return of Sergei Gonchar, and the record with and without him speaks for itself, and they won 18 of their final 25 games after he returned; before they were near the .500 mark. His presence has improved their powerplay performance as well. The Penguins have overall more experience in the playoffs and a more consistent and seasoned goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury. It won't be easy by any means, but the Penguins should have this one.

The Flyers have their strengths as well. They have more players with 30 goals or more, whereas the Penguins tend to rely on Sidney Crosby and others. The teams tends to switch lines frequently and wear down an opposing team over time, and they must use this tactic in order to pull this one out. If they can stop Pittsburgh's top three scorers, their more even balance of scoring will give them the edge.