Penguins at Flyers
THE STORY: A season-best 11-game winning streak has propelled the Pittsburgh Penguins to within two points of a share of the Eastern Conference lead. Coach Dan Bylsma's club can pull into a tie with the New York Rangers on Sunday should it defeat the rival Philadelphia Flyers in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia has collected 15 of a possible 18 points (7-1-1) in its last nine games to move to within five of New York.
TV: 12:30 p.m. NBC, NHLCA
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (44-21-5): Sidney Crosby hasn't missed a beat since returning to the club. The captain set up three goals during Saturday's 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Crosby, who was sidelined with concussion-like symptoms, has five assists in his last two games. All-Star Evgeni Malkin continues to bolster his Hart Trophy candidacy with 16 points during the Penguins' streak. The Russian has traditionally feasted on the Flyers, recording 47 points in 33 career contests.
ABOUT THE FLYERS (41-22-8): Former Penguin Jaromir Jagr has recorded three goals in two games versus Pittsburgh this season. Jagr tallied twice in the Flyers' 6-4 loss on Feb. 18. That game also featured the Wells Fargo Center crowd voicing its displeasure with Ilya Bryzgalov, who yielded a pair of shorthanded markers. The prize offseason acquisition has settled down since that defeat, posting a 9-2-1 mark with four shutouts. Bryzgalov turned aside 31 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss to Boston on Saturday.
OVERTIME:
1. Matt Cooke tallied twice for the second straight game for Pittsburgh. Known more for his questionable hits than offensive contributions, Cooke has a career-high 16 goals.
2. Matt Read became the fifth Flyers' player in the last 20 years to record 20 goals in a rookie season. The last to do so was Jeff Carter during the 2005-06 campaign.