Previewing the Pens/Flyers Home-And-Home Renewal Of The Commonwealth War

I found a lot of yesterday's talk surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins upcoming home-and-home set with their arch rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, quite interesting.

As most people know -- and as most Penguin fans, myself included, have joyously enjoyed -- the Philadelphia Flyers have struggled this season.

Coming into the year, many experts and publications figured the Flyers, with a high-octane offense, a solid core of defenseman including new stud addition Chris Pronger, and new fiesty goaltender Ray Emery, to be one of the best teams in the NHL.

The Hockey News even picked them to win The Stanley Cup.

If you ask me, they picked the wrong Pennsylvania team.

If you don't ask me and instead just look at the standings, you'll see the Flyers middling along at .500 and tied for last in the Atlantic Division standings.

They're tied for second last in the Conference and the league for heaven's sake, ahead of only the woeful Carolina Hurricanes.

Due to their failure to meet expectations this season, and amidst questions about the team's leadership, they have already canned their coach, John Stevens, and replaced him with John Torterella.

How did the Flyers respond to that move?

They promptly went out and lost 4 of their next 5, scoring only 4 goals in the process.

Even with a 3-1 win last night, they've tallied only 7 goals in their last 6.

Couple all of that with the fact that the Penguins have won 9 of their last 11 home contests against Philadelphia, one might think things look good for The Boys of Winter tonight.

But that's where the talk yesterday comes in.

For as much as the Flyers have slumping, I believe it's folly to rule them as an easy "W" for the Pens' tonight -- just as I believe it's premature to write them off for the season.

Playing a big rival like Pittsburgh could energize Philadelphia, so it will be important tonight for the Pens' to get up on the Flyers early, put their foot on Philly's collective throats and not let guys like Jeff Carter (with only 2 goals in his last 14 games) and Mike Richards get going.

In doing that, the Penguins are going to roll out some changes to their power play tonight.

HCDB has moved Evgeni Malkin to the left point, where he will play on the back end with Sergei Gonchar. Geno may spend as more time along the right wall than actually at the point, but positionally at least, that's where he'll be in the group of 5 that's out there.

Blysma also is going to have LW Matt Cooke on the first power play unit to do some of the dirty work in front of the net and handle the puck retrieval in the corners.

I'm anxious to see how things work. At least some changes have been made, because we all now the Pens' man-advantage needs them.

Like Sarge said, imagine how good the Penguins would be if their power play was actually clicking.

Even around the middle of the pack in the league.

Recap tomorrow.

Let's Go Pens!