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vs
Preview:
Pittsburgh Penguins vs
Philadelphia Flyers
THE BATTLE OF PENNSYLVANIA
MAY 9, 2008
by Josh Brewster
(2) PITTSBURGH
LAST CUP: 1992
(6) PHILADELPHIA
LAST CUP: 1975
Similar to what Detroit faces against Dallas, a top-ranked team, the Penguins, will face its toughest opponent in the postseason to this point.
The Flyers' scoring depth (seven Flyers have more than three goals; Two have eight or more) will pose a more substantial threat than the Penguins faced in Ottawa or New York.
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PHILADELPHIA: DANIEL BRIERE
Throughout his career, stretching back to Buffalo, Phoenix, Bern (Swiss League) and Drummonville (QMJHL junior), DANIEL BRIERE (12GP; 8-6-14) has consistently produced at an almost point-per-game clip in the postseason.
For years, the Flyers' top line center position featured big guys such as Eric Lindros, Peter Forsberg and Keith Primeau. Briere, at 5'10" represents a break with tradition by GM Paul Holmgren.
It's worked. Briere brings a new flavor to the Flyers' top line center position and has produced. Since Lindros' heyday, Briere is the team's best top line center.
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PITTSBURGH: EVGENI MALKIN
Hart Trophy nominee EVGENI MALKIN (9GP; 6-8-14) took a step up the star ladder this season, and postseason. His six goals in 9 games are good for 4th in the postseason scorers list. His 46 shots on goal have been huge.
Malkin set the stage for a Pittsburgh victory in game one of round two, beating Henrik Lundqvist with 1:46 left, toppling the Rangers 5-4. In game three, his second period tally put the Pens ahead 3-0 in the series and dashed Ranger hopes as Pittsburgh cruised in five.
At 6'3", 192 lbs., he's one of the best puck-protecting centers in the league, a "power forward" who skates like Jean Beliveau.
GOALTENDING: PITTSBURGH
Marc-Andre Fleury was injured early in December, and Ty Conklin became "the Man," especially after the Winter Classic victory in January.
Whatever effect the challenge from Conklin had on the 23 year-old, it was a positive one.
His GAA of 1.76 puts him right up there with Chris Osgood and Marty Turco on the leaders list. His save percentage is tops in the post at .938.
After toiling at the age of 18 and 19 on some poor pre-Crosby clubs, he's the youngest starting goalie left in the postseason and ready for the next level.
GOALTENDING: PHILADELPHIA
Marty Biron never saw any playoff action as backup to Dom Hasek and Ryan Miller in Buffalo. But as Cam Ward could testify, lessons in playoff hockey can be learned quickly.
The talkative Biron's reputation as a favorite teammate precedes him. The guys want to play for him. Always smiling, talking, joking, he's got a nice temperament for an NHL netminder.
"It was my first time playing in an overtime game and it was fun," he said after a round one game five victory over Washington.
The tension of a tight battle seems to be having a positive effect on the gregarious Biron. His cool head has been impressive, considering that with 395 shots against in 12 games, he's seen more postseason rubber than any other goalie remaining in action.
DEFENSE: PITTSBURGH
Who knew that Hal Gill would be such a force against Jaromir Jagr? His trade deadline acquisition by GM Ray Shero made the Pens' defense bigger, and that was key. Rob Scuderi already brought some size, but veteran Gill gives guys like Sergei Gonchar (25:21 TOI) more room to focus on offense.
21 year-old rookie Kris Letang has been a speedy force, moving the puck out of the defensive zone quickly and not looking like a rookie. Brooks Orpik, another Penguin defenseman developed since the pre-lockout days, has really come into his own after parts of five seasons. At 27, it's his time.
DEFENSE: PHILADELPHIA
Braydon Coburn has emerged as a major physical force for the Flyers. He is perhaps the most important acquisition--as important as Briere, for example--since Holmgren became GM.
Now paired with Kimmo Timonen (who as of Friday night was held out of game one due to injury), Coburn is part of a lethal offensive/defensive pairing.
Derian Hatcher is dismissed as old and slow, but with more talent on hand this season; he just looks like he's in the right place at the right time, in good condition and reemerging as a force. Funny what a few transactions will do for a team.
Randy Jones (+8) has been solid, but Hockeytalk wonders whether the 4, 5, and 6 spots on the Flyer blueline, might be a bit lighter than the Penguins. Somehow, the Penguin defense looks like a better group of six.
FORWARDS: PITTSBURGH
The rental of Marian Hossa (9GP; 5-5-10) is turning out to be quite successful for Shero. What the club does with Hossa--who will likely command $7-9M this summer--has everything to do with whether Hossa's name is on the Cup this June. If so, expect a "hometown discount" from Hossa to stay with the Pens. He's scored five goals, and his sometime-pairing with Pascal Dupuis has lightened the burden for Sid Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, also Peter Sykora and Ryan Malone.
Sykora has been an integral addition to the Penguins roster (4-2-6; in just 15:42 TOI). A pure shooter, Sykora has been effective in the playoffs for New Jersey (2000 Cup Champ) and then-Mighty Ducks (2003 West. Conf. Champ).
Third line center Jordan Staal has a game winner, and makes the Pens as formidable down the middle as any in the postseason.
Rookie Tyler Kennedy (19 shots in 9 games) has been energetic in limited duty.
Oh, yeah, Sid Crosby.
The offensive riches on display in Pittsburgh begin and end with Sid. The Kid is The Team in Pittsburgh.
FORWARDS: PHILADELPHIA
Philly will dazzle the Pens early in the series. The early matchups will be very interesting to follow, because it's conceivable that Briere will be matched against a scorer like Malkin or Crosby as opposed to Jordan Staal.
R.J. Umberger was raised in Pittsburgh and brings nine goals, including two game winners. Mike Richards has four, one shorthanded.
Joffrey Lupul and Scottie Upshall each have a game winner. Lupul's ended the Montreal series.
Jeff Carter has dazzled with 50 shots in 12 games.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
PITTSBURGH: PK 89.5% / PP 23.4%
PHILADELPHIA: PK 77.2% / PP 24%
PREDICTION:
Hockeytalk loves ya, Braydon Coburn, but it says here that in a long series, Pittsburgh's defense will afford its forwards more opportunities on offense than Philly's will create for its forwards.
Pittsburgh in 6
NEW! PLAYOFF
COLUMN BY DENNIS BERNSTEIN
