Hartnell (LW) scoring in an earlier meeting between the Penguins and the Flyers.
While the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals all seem to be growing into a three-sided war, the rivalry really began in the state of Pennsylvania at the end of a Flyers’ postseason birth. The Penguins had defeated the Flyers in the Eastern Conference Finals earning the right to play for the Stanley Cup. This has never been forgotten in Philadelphia as every time the Penguins and Flyers meet up during the season, wherever they play, the shouts of fans clad in Orange and Black can be heard echoing through the venue taunting the Penguins’ star center, Sidney Crosby.
Currently the season series rests dead even in points per team. While the Penguins started out hot they have now dropped to 10th in the East and are on a major skid. The Flyers on the other hand are looking to control their division. Of course a win against their most hated division rival would help in that cause. After the meeting tonight they will still have two more meetings during the regular season.
Notes For The Game
- Flyers are 12-0-2 in the last 14 games in Philadelphia.
- Flyers have 37 goals in their last 7 home games.
- Flyers are 19-4-6 in their last 29 games.
- Flyers are 17-1-5 when scoring the first goal.
- Flyers all time record at home against the Penguins is 89-20-8-2.
Season Series
- October 14th 2008: Penguins win when Pascal Dupuis (RW) scores an overtime game winner with 10.8 seconds left in overtime making the score 3-2.
- November 13th, 2008: Penguins win in a shootout after a late third period goal by Sidney Crosby (C) to tie the game at 4. The Flyers had originally rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the game to lead the game 4-3. Alex Goligoski (D) of the Penguins scored the only goal in the shootout though Simon Gagne (LW) and Mike Richards (C) both had the opportunity.
- December 13th 2008: Flyers win in spectacular fashion 6-3 as 6 different Flyers had multi-point nights leading from Kimmo Timonen (D) who tallied himself three assists.
- Flyers Season Series: 1-0-2 for 4 points
- Penguins Season Series: 2-1-0 for 4 points
Injuries
- PHI – Derian Hatcher (D): On LTIR indefinitely.
- PHI – Josh Gratton (RW): Had surgury January 10th for abdominal tear and will be put on LTIR for 4-6 weeks.
- PHI – Claude Giroux (RW): Is questionable tonight after he suffered a mild concussion on a league penalized cheap shot by Corey Perry on January 2nd. His status will be determined after morning skate.
- PHI – Antero Niittymaki (G): Is expected to rejoin the team and back up Martin Biron tonight after suffering a groin pull January 3rd. He will likely start Thursday night in Tampa Bay.
- PHI – Jon Kalinski (C): Is out indefinitely on the LTIR. A severe contusion occured when his left thigh was kneed and so he was rushed to surgery to drain blood.
- PHI – Danny Briere (C): Is currently still on the LTIR after a odd string of injuries this season. While there is still no timetable for his return it could be as early as later this week.
- PIT – Ruslan Fedotenko (W): Is out 4 to 6 weeks with a broken right hand suffered on January 6th.
- PIT – Pascal Deupuis (W): Is unknown for game tonight but has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. He did practice yesterday.
- PIT – Mike Zigomanis (F): Is on LTIR until at least mid-January with a shoulder injury.
- PIT – Sergei Gonchar (D): Is still on LTIR after having surgery to fix a dislocated shoulder on October 2nd, 2008 after being injured September 20th. He could be out until March.
Flyers’ Possible Lineup
- Line 1: Simon Gagne – Mike Richards – Mike Knuble
- Line 2: Joffrey Lupul – Jeff Carter – Scott Hartnell
- Line 3: Scottie Upshall – Glen Metropolit – Aaron Asham
- Line 4: Riley Cote – Darroll Powe – Andreas Nodl
- Def 1: Kimmo Timonen – Ossi Vaananen
- Def 2: Braydon Coburn – Matt Carle
- Def 3: Andrew Alberts – Randy Jones
- Goal: Martin Biron
