Game 30 Preview: Penguins At Flyers

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Dec 11, 10:43 AM | Hype this story!

 at

7:00 @ Wachovia Center
Versus Network
Season Score: Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 0
 
Inside The Game
The Pittsburgh Penguins have turned their season around, collecting points in eight of their last 10 games and winning their last four.  Finally, the team is getting balanced scoring from all lines, and with the addition of young Kristopher Letang to the blueline, the team has an added scoring punch.  On the defensive side of things, both goaltenders have been solid, to say the least.  During the previous seven games they have combined to give up just 11 goals, and that includes one four-goal breakdown against the Maple Leafs.

The Philadelphia Flyers, conversely, have cooled down quite a bit after a quick start that saw them sit atop the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division for quite some time.  Now the "other" Pennsylvania team has the same number of points as the Penguins, though they have played in two fewer games than the birds.  One possible reason for the Flyers’ recent skid is a stern warning from the NHL executive offices stating that the Flyers could be in line for hefty fines if another player is suspended.
 
Prediction
The first two matchups between these teams this season resulted in Flyers victories, 5-2 and 3-1.  Tonight, look for things to change, as the surging Penguins will meet a very good, yet somewhat-struggling Flyers team.  As always, expect the rivalry to take over and make this one a fun game to watch, with plenty of physicality and in-your-face moments.

With the Penguins’ recent gut-check performances in Western Canada, I fully expect the Penguins to come out flying against their divisional and cross-state rival.  I’m going to go out on a limb and predict a big win for the birds.

Final score: 5-1, Penguins win in convincing fashion
 
Standings
  GP W L OT Pts Division Conference League
Penguins 29 15 12 2 32 4th, Atlantic 7th, Eastern 15, NHL
Flyers 27 15 10 2 32 3rd, Atlantic 6th, Eastern 14, NHL
                 
Team Stats
  GF GA PP% PK% Home Away L 10 Streak
Penguins 86 80 19.9 81.7 7-6-2 8-6-0 7-2-1 4 wins
Flyers 71 74 22.3 82.1 6-3-2 9-7-0 4-4-2 1 loss
                 
Team Leaders
Stat # Penguins Stat # Flyers
Goals 14 Crosby Goals 13 Richards
Assists 26 Crosby Assists 18 Briere
Points 40 Crosby Points 31 Briere
PIMs 54 Malone PIMs 61 Cote
Wins 9 Fleury Wins 12 Biron
 
Injuries
Penguins Injury Flyers Injury
Fleury, DTD
Talbot, DTD		 Ankle
Ankle		 Gagne, IR
Rathje, IR		 Concussion
Hip/back
       
Note: Info up-to-date as of 9:30 am, Tuesday, December 11, 2007.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Dec 11, 02:27 PM

    I’ll miss most of this game as I’m going out to a Christmas Dinner with the people from work. Go Pens!

  2. Kyle Dreibelbies

    Dec 11, 02:31 PM

    Since I live north of Philly in the eastern part of the Commonwealth, I have to listen to the Flyers’ homer announcers, but I will be drowning them out with my own yelling after each goal!

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    Dec 11, 02:46 PM

    Dabich, have fun tonight! But, if the Pens lose, it’s your fault. I’m just sayin…

    Kyle, maybe you should move out of Flyer country. Come to think of it, maybe the Baby Penguins should do the same!

    On a serious note, though, the game is on Versus…won’t you be watching the neutral broadcast? Also, do you get to watch most/all Penguins games? I never really thought about that.

  4. DaBich

    Dec 11, 05:35 PM

    Hey, Kyle, move over here closer to Pittsburgh. Matt will help you relocate ;)

    Matt, if they lose, it’s YOUR fault for suggesting it…just sayin
    :P

  5. Ashley Gallant

    Dec 11, 11:00 PM

    Okay, so who’s going to take the blame for this one??

    I won’t, even though I did kinda, sorta said something along the lines of this game maybe being like last year’s Pens/Flyers game at this point in December…I jinxed it, didn’t I?

  6. DaBich

    Dec 11, 11:44 PM

    I see I missed a doozy. Blame me!

  7. Ashley Gallant

    Dec 12, 11:37 AM

    haha okay dabich – if only you had missed your christmas party and watched the game…things would’ve been different.

  8. DaBich

    Dec 13, 09:12 AM

    I’m hangin my head here!

  9. Ashley Gallant

    Dec 13, 11:20 AM

    hahaha

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