Anaheim Ducks: A Look at the Opening Four-Game Road Trip

Pittsburgh

May 2, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck against the New York Rangers during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks open up in Pittsburgh to play the Penguins tomorrow as previously stated. The Pens are an interesting team this season. They brought in a new Head Coach, Mike Johnston and new General Manager, Jim Rutherford after failing to meet expectations for the fifth straight season.

On the ice, they  had some very significant acquisitions and departures. The biggest being the Draft Day trade of James Neal to Nashville for Patric Hornquist and Nick Spalling. They also brought in Thomas Greiss to add depth to a goal-tending situation that many people are very skeptical of after the poor play from Marc-Andre Fleury in the last few playoffs. They also brought in talented offensive defenseman Christian Erhoff who mightily underperformed in Buffalo after signing a pretty big contract. They have some young talent developing to hopefully surround Crosby and Malkin with players like Oli Maata and California native Beau Bennett.

Are the Penguins a better team than last season?

I would say no. They have a new system to still be learned with a new head coach and they lost one of the best goal scorers in the NHL in James Neal. They have world class skill with Crosby and Malkin, and can be classified as a good team in a bad conference. Watching Crosby and Getzlaf matchup against each other will be very fun to watch in this one.

Outcome of the game? Ducks win.