Flyers at Penguins
THE STORY: The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins have been seeing quite a bit of each other over the last few weeks. After facing off three times in as many weeks, the Keystone State rivals will begin their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series in the Steel City on Wednesday. The fifth-seeded Flyers won four of the six meetings this season, but the fourth-seeded Penguins skated to a 4-2 win in the regular-season finale.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS, TSN
ABOUT THE FLYERS (47-26-9): While Pittsburgh owns home-ice advantage in this series, Philadelphia has won five of six at the Consol Energy Center. Admittedly, backup Sergei Bobrovsky has been in net for all six decisions, whereas Russian compatriot Ilya Bryzgalov is expected to start the postseason series. Signed to a nine-year, $51 million deal last summer, Bryzgalov was brought to the City of Brotherly Love after the team was unceremoniously swept by Boston in the conference semifinals.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (51-25-6): Captain Sidney Crosby returns to the postseason stage after watching from the press box as the Penguins were bounced by Tampa Bay during last season's opening round. Crosby scored to snap a tie in the regular-season finale, but sat out the majority of the third period in an otherwise meaningless game. Two-time Art Ross Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin collected his career-high 50th goal nearly two minutes later before becoming a virtual spectator in the final session. Both will play significantly more in the series.
OVERTIME:
1. Flyers center Danny Briere is expected to return following a three-game absence with a back injury. Briere was sidelined after being blasted by an open-ice shot from Pittsburgh's Joe Vitale on April 1.
2. Familiarity does indeed breed contempt - well, as far as Philadelphia is concerned. Coach Peter Laviolette called Pittsburgh counterpart Dan Bylsma "gutless" following the penultimate game and assistant coach Craig Berube labeled Crosby and Malkin as the "dirtiest players on the Penguins."