Bruins vs. Penguins: Eastern Conference finals preview

The last four Stanley Cup champions advanced to this season’s conference finals, a remarkable feat in an era of parity created by the NHL’s salary cap. Here’s how they match up:

(Editor’s note: Helene Elliott has picked 11 of 12 series correctly, and predicted the exact number of games six times. The Hall of Fame hockey writer’s only misstep was picking the New York Rangers over Boston):

1. PITTSBURGH 36-12 (72 points)

Rd. 1: def. N.Y. Islanders, 4-2.

Rd. 2: def. Ottawa, 4-1.

4. BOSTON 28-14-6 (62 points)

Rd. 1: def. Toronto, 4-3.

Rd. 2: def. N.Y. Rangers, 4-1.

Season series: Penguins, 3-0.

Playoff power play: Penguins 28.3% (first). Bruins 21.9% (fifth).

Playoff leading scorers: Penguins, Evgeni Malkin 4-12—16; Bruins, David Krejc 5-12—17.

Outlook: Penguins center Sidney Crosby got permission to drop the full face shield he had worn since returning from a broken jaw. Not that the shield held him back: He has seven goals and 15 points in 10 postseason games. Goaltending looms as the biggest question for the Penguins, who switched during the first round from Marc-Andre Fleury to Tomas Vokoun (1.85 goals-against average, .941 save percentage in seven games). The Penguins have impressive scoring depth and average a playoff-high 4.27 goals per game, but their defense too often gets careless. The Bruins’ defense is led by Zdeno Chara, who’s averaging a whopping 29 minutes and 13 seconds’ ice time, and sensation Torey Krug, a 5-foot-9 rookie who had four goals in five games against the Rangers. But veteran Andrew Ference will miss the opener because of an undisclosed injury. Goalie Tuukka Rask (2.22, .928) has been fine and has gotten a healthy average of 3.17 goals per game of support.

East prediction: The Penguins have great scoring depth, but the Bruins have a far better defense and a slight edge in goal. The Penguins’ offensive waves will wear the Bruins down. Penguins in seven.