As much as I liked the Habs to pull off an upset against the Caps, I don't like them to pull off the same feat against the Pens.

Sorry Montreal. I know you're excited, but I have to break it down honestly.

Whereas the Caps were a regular season team of offensive stars and defensive liabilities, the Penguins were built for the playoffs.

It is by no accident that they are the Stanley Cup champs.

They play playoff hockey with players with a long and short history of understanding commitment.

You start with Sidney Crosby, a winner wherever he goes.

Evgeni Malkin: a man who didn't get it at first but figured the work-ethic issue out over the years.

Jordan Staal completes a 1,2,3 down the middle that is the best in the world. Playoff hockey is won down the middle.

The Caps series was the tamest I have ever seen from a bruising-hits variety. It won't be the same when Brooks Orpik lines up. He had 32 hits in the first round. That's the second-highest total behind Mike Grier. And Orpik's hits are punishing. The small Habs will find this series much harder.

Whereas Mike Green just kept firing slapshots that the Habs blocked, Sergei Gonchar is going to find a way to get the shot through. Their powerplay has more options.

The support players, like Chris Kunitz who put together great playoff seasons when no one even knew his name, are also stronger.

Bill Guerin has always been a money big-game player.

Maxime Talbot and Matt Cooke bring it in the post-season, when not taking no for an answer is the key.

The Habs chance rests in their goalie being outstanding again, and the Pens goalie struggling.

Marc Andre Fleury has not enjoyed playing in Montreal with the added pressure of it being his home province.

If the Habs win the goalie battle, then it could get competitive.

However, I think Fleury is going to be strong. Varlamov and Theodore never stole a moment in 7 games. Fleury can make the big save at the right time.

I believe the Habs could have beaten the Sabres if they were lucky enough to get that match up.

But it's the Pens and it is a tough matchup.

The Pens will win the Cup again and this will be an easy stepping stone.

I have a hunch it is going to be a sweep, but for charity's sake I will give the Habs game 3.

So make it official: Penguins in 5.

It was an exciting run, but they're about to run into a well-oiled, built-for-the-playoffs machine.