7 games should be the priority for rooting. Let them fight each other hard for 7 games while we rest up. With that, for obvious reasons I'd go with Carolina.
Although they have a bunch of talent up and down the roster and owuld be a tough test, here are my reasons the choice is obvious:
1. Goaltending - Mrazek has been strong but in most series I will expect Holtby is the tougher goalie. Mrazek has way less playoff experience.
2. Offensive firepower - Although, as I said, the Canes have some dynamic young players on offense, it is hard to win a 7 game series playing against Ovechkin, Backstrom, Kuznetsov and the rest of them. Although you coudl say the same about PIT, Washington will be hungrier in my opinion and those players won't be shut down as much as Malkin/Crosby were. Contained, possibly, but not flat-out blanked.
3. Experience - Carolina has not been in the playoff since 2009. A vast majority of their team has never sniffed the playoffs/played more than 82 games in a season. The Caps knew how to pace themselves this year and will have fuller tanks and more mental focus heading into round 2.
4. Home Ice - No brainer. Barc is no Barn but doesn't matter, it will be rocking in round 2.
Although the optimist in me says it doesn;t matter because I truly believe this team can beat anyone on any night in any arena. With that, the logical side of me realizes that one of these matchups just flat out gives us a better chance to make the ECF.
