Meanwhile, Washington won their second consecutive Presidents Trophy as the NHL's best team during the regular season with 116, while the Penguins were a close second netting 109, followed by their first round opponents the Blue Jackets with 106.

However, what may be worrying Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is that his side have been far from dominant against the Blue Jackets in the regular season. The sides have split their four encounters this campaign, but most recently Pittsburgh beat Columbus in a routine 4-1 win.

What makes home ice advantage so crucial in this series’ case, is that each team won their home games against one another. John Tortorella’s men handed a headline grabbing 7-1 thrashing in November, a huge part of the side’s 16-game winning streak. In fact, they came within touching distance of equalling the 1993 Penguins' record for most consecutive wins in a season – for more great information like this and articles on the NHL head over to Betting Sports.

Last time these two clubs met it was a goal fest and the Penguins beat the Blue Jackets in six games back in the first round of the 2014 playoffs, who were later eliminated by the New York Rangers 4-3 in the following round. Five of those six games between Pittsburgh and Columbus ended with 4-3 as the final score.

Columbus may be a relatively new franchise, founded at the start of the millennium, but they are starting to make big waves in the world of ice hockey with their captain Nick Foligno leading by example. Their two wins over Pittsburgh in 2014 was their first postseason triumphs in franchise history. Whatever happens between now and the start of the postseason, the sides look sure to entertain.