Last season the Penguins began the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the fourth overall seed in the Eastern Conference. One year later they find themselves in a very familiar spot against a very familiar opponent. For the third time in three years the Penguins will face the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs. This time however, they will face them while trying to defend the Stanley Cup.

The first meeting between the teams came in 2007 where the Senators defeated the Penguins 4-1 to advance. The Senators would eventually move onto the Stanley Cup Finals where they lost to the Anaheim Ducks. The very next year the Pens and Sens would meet in round one of the playoffs. This time though, the Pens got the best of the Senators by sweeping them in four games. Like the Senators the year before, the Pens would advance to the Stanley Cup Finals losing to Detroit in six games.

This meeting is different. The Pens are the defending Stanley Cup Champions while Ottawa is returning to the playoffs after a year not making it. It’s sure to be a great series. Any playoff series is great. Anyone containing the Pens make it that much better.

Now for a breakdown by position:

Goaltending: The Pens will have the clear advantage in the net heading into the series. Battle tested Marc-Andre Fleury has posted a 31-18 record along with a .916 save percentage and a 2.45 goals against average. Add his Stanley Cup into that and you have a clutch goalie, and that’s exactly what Fleury is. His success will determine how far the Pens go. On the other end of the ice the Senators will feature first time playoff goalie Brian Elliott. Tonight will be his first ever game in goal. He will have to stand on his head for the Sens to have any hope of upsetting the Pens.

Defense: This match-up is pretty much even between the teams. The Pens struggled on defense after the break which resulted in some poor results. However, over the past few games they seemed to have turn it around. Deadline addition Jordan Leopold has been solid both offensively and defensively and has scored two overtime goals for the Pens. Ottawa also boasts some defensive prowess. Their top defender, Anton Volchenkov, is a hard nosed player who likes to take up space and move players around. He has a wicked shot from the point that when accurate can get the team some goals. The last time the teams met in the playoffs in 2008, Volchenkov stopped and Evgeni Malkin slapshot with his face.

Offense: If there was one place that the Pens had a total advantage over the Senators it’s on offense. Just the names Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin say enough, but throw in the likes of Jordan Staal, Alexei Ponikarvski, and Pascal Dupuis it just isn’t fair. Ottawa will rely heavily on forwards Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza, and Mike Fisher to get the puck behind Fleury. If they get no secondary scoring like the Pens then this will be a short series. No doubt Alfredsson will score atleast one big goal, but when Dupuis or Cooke score two to counter act that they have no chance. Secondary scoring, or lack there of in Ottawa’s case, could be what separates the two teams in a tight game. To make things worse, the Sens will be without winger Alexei Kovalev who will be out the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

Bottom Line: The Sens had a good year and it is something they can build in. Brian Elliott seems to have emerged as a legit number one goalie. However, this is the playoffs and great teams win in the playoffs. The Pens are a great team. Even when they look weak they can still be the best. Everything looks to be clicking for the Pens who are out to defend what is theirs. Secondary scoring gives the Penguins a huge advantage. Add that on top of experience you have just a better overall team. The Sens are an improving team and will be dangerous in a year or two. Right now the Pens are ready to repeat.

My Pick: Pens in 5