How do Predators match up against Penguins, Senators in Stanley Cup Final?

The Predators know that they will open the Stanley Cup Final on Monday, but they still don't know where and against whom.

Both will be determined Thursday in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins and Ottawa Senators will end their Eastern Conference final series with a decisive Game 7 (7 p.m., NBC SN). The winner of that game will host the Predators in Game 1. 

Here is a look at each of Nashville's potential Stanley Cup Final opponents:

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Stanley Cups: Four (1991, 1992, 2009, 2016)

How they got here: Eliminated Columbus Blue Jackets (five games) and Washington Capitals (seven games)

Leading postseason scorer: Evgeni Malkin (24 points)

Predators' record vs. Penguins this season: 1-1-0

Outlook: This is familiar territory for the Penguins, who seek to become the first defending Stanley Cup champion to repeat since the Detroit Red Wings won consecutive championships in 1997 and 1998.

Pittsburgh's depth, much like Nashville's, is a strength. The Penguins' top goal scorer this postseason, for example, is rookie forward Jake Guentzel, who has nine goals. 

Where the Penguins have a distinct advantage, however, is at center. 

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Captain Sidney Crosby, a two-time MVP who is up for the award again this season, and Malkin, the team's leading scorer during the playoffs, form the NHL's most dangerous one-two punch at the position. The Predators won't have center Ryan Johansen and could also be without captain Mike Fisher, who has missed the past two games with an undisclosed injury.

The Penguins also are dealing with injury concerns. They played their 2-1 loss in Game 6 on Tuesday without former Predators forward Patric Hornqvist (upper-body injury) and defenseman Justin Schultz (upper body), among others. Top defenseman Kris Letang has missed the entire postseason after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck.

OTTAWA SENATORS

Stanley Cups: None

How they got here: Eliminated Boston Bruins (six games) and New York Rangers (six games)

Leading postseason scorer: Erik Karlsson (16 points)

Predators' record vs. Senators this season: 2-0-0

Outlook: The upstart Senators, despite finishing in second place in the Atlantic Division, weren't viewed as a serious threat when the postseason started last month. Ottawa has been accused of being "boring" because of the defense-first style preferred by coach Guy Boucher. Although it might not lead to the most entertaining hockey, it has led the Senators to within one win of their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 10 years.

The Senators' forwards are a plucky bunch. Bobby Ryan, first among that group with 15 points, has undergone a career resurgence this postseason. But a conversation regarding the Senators can't be had without mentioning Karlsson, Ottawa's captain and arguably the best defenseman in the world.

Few NHL players can singlehandedly influence the direction of a game like Karlsson, who is an offensive superstar and much better defensively than he often receives credit for. The Senators' defense isn't as dynamic overall as the Predators' collection of defensemen, though. 

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

STANLEY CUP FINAL

PREDATORS vs. PENGUINS/SENATORS

Times TBA, all games broadcast on 102.5-FM

May 29: at Pittsburgh/Ottawa (NBC)

May 31: at Pittsburgh/Ottawa (NBC SN)

June 3: at Nashville (NBC SN)

June 5: at Nashville (NBC)

x — June 8: at Pittsburgh/Ottawa (NBC)

x — June 11: at Nashville (NBC)

x — June 14: at Pittsburgh/Ottawa (NBC)

x — if necessary