Penguins-Blue Jackets Preview: Why this could be 1st round's best series

Get ready for the Penguins vs. Blue Jackets rematch.

The Metropolitan Division battle kicks off Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena, with Pittsburgh holding home-ice advantage. The two sides met four times in the regular season, with the Penguins taking the series 2-1-1. The Blue Jackets will now be out to right that record in the games that matter most.

Physical foes

Most notably, the focal point of a Penguins-Blue Jackets series is the assured battles between Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and Blue Jackets agitating center Brandon Dubinsky.

No other player seems to get under Crosby's skin quite like the Blue Jackets' alternate captain. Fights have been few and far between over Crosby's career, but the last time he dropped the gloves, in February 2015, Dubinsky was on the other end. Shutting down Sidney, and getting the Penguins captain off his game, will be a big help in the Blue Jackets grabbing a hold of the series.

If Dubinsky isn't enough to rile up Crosby, what about Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella? In his previous stint with the New York Rangers, the Columbus bench boss infamously referred to Crosby and teammate Evgeni Malkin as the Penguins' two whining stars.

Budding rivalry

If rivalries are built in the playoffs, expect to see a budding clash between the Penguins and Blue Jackets.

This spring marks just the third playoff appearance for the Blue Jackets in their 16-year history, with their last postseason trip coming in 2014. That year saw the Blue Jackets open against the Penguins, pushing the series to six games. In the end, Columbus didn't come out on the winning side but the two victories marked the first in franchise history.

It's a different Columbus squad this time around. Previous iterations squeaked into the spring dance, but that's not the case this year. The Blue Jackets were one of the top teams all season long, a stretch that saw the club post a 16-game win streak, one short of the all-time record (set by the 1993 Penguins). Like the Penguins, the Blue Jackets were one of just four teams to reach the 50-win plateau this season.

Crosby factor

Give Crosby a puck and stick and it's always must-see TV. The Penguins' leader resumed his role this season as one of the game's top players.

Putting up 44 goals this campaign, Crosby captured the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal-scorer. It marked his second time claiming the award, after doing so in 2009-10. The Blue Jackets will need to limit Crosby's chances in the postseason if they're to find victory.

Meanwhile, the goals didn't come as often from Columbus skaters, as the team presents a more balanced attack. Winger Cam Atkinson was the only Blue Jackets skater to finish with more than 30 goals (35). It marked a career high for Atkinson, while the next best was captain Nick Foligno (26).

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)