Wilkes-Barre Scranton is Built for a Run, but Hershey Won't Be Easy

On top of that, the Penguins have the right culture in place. “They have a lot of fun, maybe too much fun,” head coach Kirk MacDonald noted halfway through the season on the tight-knit group. It’s a team with the right culture in place, one that not only helped develop the prospects but set this team up for the playoffs.

Hershey is a Matchup Problem

The Bears proved last week how they’ve come since the start of the season. Even through the rough times and the early-season struggles, head coach Derek King would mention that he liked where the team was at and the direction they were heading in. The series victory over the Islanders was the payoff as the Bears looked like a complete team that didn’t let mistakes cost them.

This team was expected to take a step back as a younger group that was learning the pro game. Suddenly, the Bears check off a lot of boxes for a Calder Cup contender. Like the Penguins, it starts in the net with Clay Stevenson playing great at the right time. In two playoff games, he allowed only two goals, and in his last seven starts, he’s allowed only 11 goals.

The Bears also have the star players who can take over a game or a series. Ilya Protas was the AHL Rookie of the Year and an elite two-way center, someone who will be on the Washington Capitals roster by the start of next season. Andrew Cristall is a dynamic winger with plenty of skill, something he put on display in Game Two's 5-2 victory over the Islanders. The star power gives the Bears an edge in this series, one that the Penguins can run into problems with.

The Playmakers, Defense & Habits Will Decide This Series

The one edge that the Bears have is the top-end talent. The Cristall, Protas, and Bogdan Trineyev line is star-studded and can take over this series. Otherwise, the Penguins have the more complete roster, and it’s made them the favorites.

The Penguins have the depth where they can roll all four forward lines, and they have the blue line to win this series. Kemp and Owen Pickering have been great all season, especially as a shutdown pair, and they will be asked to play a big role in this series.

The other advantage for the Penguins is that this series will come down to mistakes, specifically, which team commits fewer of them. King has talked all season about removing bad habits, and at times, they cost the Bears games. On the flip side, the Penguins are a disciplined team that loves to make the most of their opponents' mistakes. So, the Bears are the underdogs and not expected to win this series but they’ll make it a good one that can work in their favor in the end.