Yesterday, I presumed that Olli Maatta would sit if Brian Dumoulin is OK to play in tonight’s Game 1 on Long Island. Jack Johnson and Marcus Pettersson would join Dumoulin on the left side of the Penguins defense.
Today, I’m not so sure.
Maatta has two Stanley Cup rings, and the wealth of experience that accompanies. He’s played 68 playoff games. Maatta is better on the penalty-kill.
Pettersson is a rookie. He’s played a mere four playoff games (with Anaheim last season). He takes a lot of penalties (second on the Penguins with 49 minutes).
Pettersson has played well. But so has Maatta in his five games since returning from injury.
The big argument for Pettersson (6-foot-3) is that he's half of the Penguins' “twin towers” defense tandem along with Eric Gudbranson (6-5). They present almost 13 feet of reach and problems for the opposition.
I still expect Maatta to be scratched if Dumoulin can play. But if Pettersson gets a seat in the press box, I would not be outraged.MAYBE MAATTA SHOULD PLAY
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