FOLLOWING WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
And-now-Gary-Bettman-has-ruined-the-Winter-Classic 4/18/13 - And now Gary Bettman has ruined the Winter Classic
BACK
Add the Philadelphia Flyers to My HUB

How would the Flyers match up with Pittsburgh in the first round?

March 29th, 2012 11:01 PM
  • How-would-the-Flyers-match-up-with-Pittsburgh-in-the-first-round
  • Pittsburgh-Penguins-center-Evgeni-Malkin-goes-to-the-net-against-Philadelphia-Flyers-goalie-Ilya-Bryzgalov.-Mandatory-Credit-Eric-Hartline-US-PRESSWIRE
  • Pittsburgh Penguins center Jordan Staa and Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn face off. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE
  • Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin goes to the net against Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

    • After the Flyers’ thorough 7-1 rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, combined with the suddenly slumping Penguins inexplicably dropping two games to the Islanders, fans in Philly have to be feeling pretty good about a potential first-round matchup with Pittsburgh. It’s looking more and more likely that the two intrastate rivals will meet up as the 4 and 5 seeds in the first round of the playoffs, and while that prospect might have seemed daunting for Philadelphia two weeks ago when the Pens were in the midst of an 11-game winning streak, it’s looking more favorable every day.

    The Flyers themselves brought that streak to an end with a 3-2 overtime win on March 18, and have actually won three out of their four games against the Penguins this season. Pittsburgh fans will chalk that up to the many injuries that they have suffered throughout the season, but the Flyers have had their share of health problems as well. Chris Pronger has been out since November and isn’t coming back, Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier have missed time with concussions, and Jaromir Jagr has been up and down with a balky groin. And of course, Ilya Bryzgalov didn’t hit his stride until the start of March.

    The fact of the matter is that these two teams match up very well with each other. Both play an open, aggressive style on offense that they use to compensate for their somewhat shaky defensive corps, and each have a goaltender that can run hot or cold, but can steal games when they’re on.

    Although the current playoff seeding system is unfavorably balanced, the fact that it could guarantee that these two fun, exciting rivals will play each other is certainly a silver lining.

    And the best part? Fans will get a brief preview of what could be a memorable playoff series when the teams square off two more times in their remaining five games on April 1 and 7.

    — Craig Lowell

    TORONTO – The Flyers fabulous freshman have proven their worth all season long.They were at it again Thursday night as Philadelphia’s rookies combined for four goals and a pair of assists in a 7-1 drubbing of the Toronto Maple Leafs.Brayden Schenn…

    Read the original post from nhl.com

    What did you think? Leave a comment

    TOPICS

    RELATED STORIES
    More

    Fan Hub Action

    LATEST CHATTER

    Mariano Rivera Is Having a True Hero's Exit

    • Jeanne-Marie Jansen Lowell May 23rd

      Greatest relief pitcher EVER! Someday we can all tell our grandchildren we got to see him pitch. A true legend!

    • Charlie Lobosco May 23rd

      Ask Craig; I’ll say it again; not the best relief pitcher ever; the best MLB player ever. Yes, that includes everyone.

    • Jim Lowell May 23rd

      Great tribute to a great player, a great Yankee, and a great man.Thank you!

    • Frank Lowell May 23rd

      Great job, Ryan! As a life-long Yankee hater since the 1950’s in the closing days of the Brooklyn Dodgers, I can only sit back and…

    Belly putter ban to is an attempt to hinder the evolution of golf
    Rangers, Bruins ready to resume hostilities
    The irony - and bravery - of Jason Collins's decision

    • Charlie Lobosco May 1st

      This is a very compelling story because Mr. Collins is a very passionate, tough, intelligent, athelete taking on some additional responsibliity to help others as…

    • Scott Cohen May 1st

      Charlie.. very well said.. he does have guts

    POPULAR NOW

    Mariano Rivera Is Having a True Hero's Exit

    May 22nd, 2013 2:56 PM

    3
    Belly putter ban is an attempt to hinder the evolution of golf

    May 23rd, 2013 1:49 PM

    1
    Learning to settle with second-rate fights

    May 20th, 2013 9:09 AM

    ALL TIME FAVES

    Despite tragedy, Boston and its marathon will endure

    April 16th, 2013 12:15 PM

    6
    Tiger on top is the best thing for golf

    April 9th, 2013 11:57 AM

    18
    The irony of Kobe Bryant's injury

    April 16th, 2013 3:48 PM

    15
    Questions about sexuality arise at combine

    March 1st, 2013 8:37 AM

    10

    Twitter Chatter