Conference Quarterfinals: #4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #5 Philadelphia Flyers

[JKidd]

Records:
Pittsburgh 51-25-6 (108 points) Home: 29-10-2 Away: 22-15-4
Philadelphia 47-26-9 (103 points) Home: 22-13-6 Away: 25-13-3

Head to Head:
Dec 8th: Flyers 3 / Penguins 2
Dec 29th: Flyers 4 / Penguins 2
Feb 18th: Penguins 6 / Flyers 4
Mar 18th: Flyers 3 / Penguins 2
Apr 1st: Flyers 6 / Penguins 4
Apr 7th: Penguins 4 / Flyers 2
Flyers took season series, 4-2

Fights:
Dec 8th: Tyler Kennedy vs. Harry Zolniercyzk
Apr 1st: Deryk Engelland vs. Wayne Simmonds
Apr 7th: Joe Vitale vs. Harry Zolniercyzk

Lineup:
Goaltending: draw
Scoring: edge Pittsburgh
Defense: edge Pittsburgh
Coaching: draw
Grit: edge Philadelphia

Schedule:
Wed, Apr 11 in Pittsburgh 7:30PM ET
Fri, Apr 13 in Pittsburgh 7:30PM ET
Sun, Apr 15 in Philadelphia 3PM ET
Wed, Apr 18 in Philadelphia 7:30PM ET
*Fri, Apr 20 in Pittsburgh 7:30PM ET
*Sun, Apr 22 in Philadelphia TBA
*Tue, Apr 24 in Pittsburgh TBA

Prediction:
This great rivalry has yet another opportunity to add another blood filled playoff chapter to it, and will make for one of the best playoff series. This series comes down to which version of Ilya Bryzgalov will show up for the Flyers? The early season form, or the late season – nearly unbeatable – form? The Flyers will also be without the services of Danny Briere and Andrej Meszaros for the series, which removes a lot of offense. The Penguins come in healthy, hot and ready to fight for the cup. The war of words these teams had off the ice should play to a very physical and very fun to watch series. In the end, I like the Penguins being healthy, playoff battle tested and primed for a deep cup run. Penguins in 7.

[mikebflorida]

I didn't do so hot a job last year picking these. Oh well.

If Crosby and company get their typical dose of favortism from the league, they should win this series.

If Rinaldo and company can layeth the smack down on Cindy and Malkin and do some real damage, they could win this series.

I think the goalies make the difference here, I just hope Bryz doesn't sh1t the bed.

Flyers in 7.

[tim13]

I believe this will be an uphill battle for the Flyers who of course won't get a fair shake from the officials. That being said, the Flyers have just thoroughly dominated the second half of games against the Pens and just about everybody else this season so if they can avoid going down 2-0 every game like they're prone to do then I think they'll just be too deep and strong (even without Pronger, Briere, Meszaros, and maybe even Grossmann because of another loose Penguin knee) for the Pens down the stretch. Once Hartnell and Simmonds etc. start banging in front and in the corners the Penguins have a tendency to get stuck in their end for long periods. Plus, Jagr f*cking owns them. Look for a big series from Max too.

The Pens will definitely have their moments but as long as Bryz can at least equal Fleury and the Flyers don't give up the first 2 goals every single game the Flyers should win this in 6 or 7.

[lakingsfan19]

I would like to see the Flyers win, but as others pointed out, I don't think the Flyers will be allowed to breathe on Crosby. Also the Flyers have Bryzgalov.

Pens in 6

[D Y B FLYERS]

Probably the best first round playoff matchup, and probably the two most evenly matched teams. Goaltending is a draw, as Fleury has been average the last few months of the season, while Bryzgalov came on strong. Scoring is almost equal, but I think the Pens have the better D. I just think the Flyers have a better chemistry as a team, and while probably an very hard fought series, I'll go Flyers in 5! (homer pick)

[I_am_Belak_2]

Penguins in 7.

Are Mac and Shelley gonna be bound and gagged in the pressbox?

[Broons66]

Im picking Flyers in 7. Alot of bad blood between these two teams,which makes for a potential great series. Hopefully they both pound each other for a full seven games. I think theres more pressure on the Pens,giving recent actions,and comments by some experts of them being dirty whiners.

[KnucklesNilan]

If the Rinaldo "game misconduct" is any indication on how the refs are going to control this series, this series will be an absolute power play, snooze-fest... people keep talking "bad blood" and all that, but I see the refs and the NHL totally ruining what could be an epic series.

Sorry to be so negative, but I just can't see anything major happening in this series.

Bring on the penalty parade!

[PotvinSucks]

This will be the best series of the first round in the east.

Flyers in 6.

Over/Under on Rinaldo's game misconducts - 2

[Janssen25]

The Flyers seemed to be one of the only teams who figured out that playing a chippy game against the Pens is the way to go. I watched the Devils and Rangers all year try to match the Pens style of game and fail miserably. If they can lure Pittsburgh into playing their style of game without taking to many penalties I believe they can pull this one out. This is probably the worst matchup possible for the Pens in the 1st round.

Flyers in 7.

[mikebflorida]

Originally Posted by KnucklesNilan

If the Rinaldo "game misconduct" is any indication on how the refs are going to control this series, this series will be an absolute power play, snooze-fest... people keep talking "bad blood" and all that, but I see the refs and the NHL totally ruining what could be an epic series.

Sorry to be so negative, but I just can't see anything major happening in this series.

Bring on the penalty parade!

I have to agree, the powers that be will want to keep a lid on it because they are a bunch of sissies and they also have to protect their "stars".

I hope we're wrong about this. The NHL was great when teams were allowed to play, allowed to fight, and allowed to settle things on the ice but the last several years indicates that the zebras are in control if they want to be.

[LoneStar33Fan]

Originally Posted by I_am_Belak_2

Penguins in 7.

Are Mac and Shelley gonna be bound and gagged in the pressbox?

Big Mac is back at WBS

[Isles4life]

This is the first-round series I'm most looking forward to, as I'd imagine is the case for a lot of other people. A great rivalry that has heated up late in the regular season, and now a first-round playoff matchup.

With Malkin on fire and Crosby back healthy, the Penguins were my pick to emerge from the Eastern Conference and win the Stanley Cup. But this is a huge challenge for them right off the bat to start the playoffs. The Flyers have shown the ability to have success against Pittsburgh. I think this is going to come down to a very hard fought and closely contested series. In the end, I think the Penguins will find a way to win it in 7. But I wouldn't be surprised if the team emerging from this series is too worn down to make it all the way to the Finals as the Eastern Conference playoffs continue.

[V12_Bi-Turbo]

I want the Flyers to beat the Pens but I think Pittsburgh wins this in six. At least we can use Voracek and Jagr at Worlds

[mikebflorida]

Originally Posted by V12_Bi-Turbo

I want the Flyers to beat the Pens but I think Pittsburgh wins this in six. At least we can use Voracek and Jagr at Worlds

No love for Kubina?