Playoff Possibilites Part 2 (where I spell Hooray right)

So continuing our look at potential playoff match-ups for the Pens, some games were played last night. Nothing that happened effects who the Pens could play so thankfully this makes my job MUCH easier and I dont look quite so stupid.

Possible matchup #3:

Philadelphia Flyers

Currently #8, 93 Points, one game left

Season series: 4-3 in favor of Flyers

The Flyers have always been in a thorn in the Penguins side. From the early days of the match up that I'm far too young to remember, to the recent times Eric Lindros has forgotten (not because he wanted to, either) the Flyers have always played the Penguins hard and beaten them like a rented mule.

In the past two years, the script was flipped a bit. Last year the Flyers were woeful, finishing at the bottom of the league. The Penguins, during their magical mystery tour, swept the season series 8-0, including Crosby's first hat trick.

At the trade deadline and during the off season a series of shrewd trades were made, accruing players like Kimmo Timmonen, Scottie Upshall, Braydon Coburn, Martin Biron, Scott Hartnell, and Joffery Lupul. As a result, they picked up a new attitude and came out of the gates on fire. In spite of several early season suspensions for extremely dirty plays, they climbed to the top of the league ranks. They swept the first half of the season series 4-0 with the only highlight being the destruction of Ben Eager's children's children.

Perhaps it was karma, or just Philly being Philly but somewhere along the way they lose their attitude and changed. Since then the Flyers have plummeted, dropping to 8th in the East (by a nose). The Pens have managed to nearly reclaim the season series, taking the last three in a row. It hasn't stopped the Flyers from trying to force their way into games by taking out the oppositions best players. This is why the Penguins should worry about the Flyers.

The Flyers match up extremely well against the boys from the city that loves brothers. The Pens can outscore, out hustle, and out goalie the Flyers. The problem lies in how dirty the Flyers actually are.

They received a total of 52 games in suspensions throughout the season and if the Flyers know they're not going to win, they're going head hunting. That means Hossa, Sykora, Crosby, and Malkin are the prime targets. If the Flyers cant advance, they want to make sure the team that does cant make it to the next round.

They're not the Broad Street Bullies, they're just douchebags. And while the Pens could win this series in 5 or 6 easily, they would do so at a severe disadvantage going into the next round. This series would not only be won on the score board, but along the board by Laraque, Ruutu, Roberts, Malone, and Gill. The Flyers are who should be feared the second most, and not because of upset potential.

I know I said there were four potential match ups, but over night the Hurricanes lost to the Florida Panthers and lost their control of their playoff destiny. If Washington wins tonight, they are in as the #3 three seed and Carolina, having completed their season, are left sitting at home. If the Capitals lose, they're golfing and the Canes are still in the picture as the #3 seed.

If the Canadiens lose tonight to the Maple Leafs, then the Pens are locked in at #1 no matter the outcome of the Flyers game tomorrow. If the Pens then lose, they will play the Senators. If the Pens win tomorrow, they play the Flyers.

What it all boils down to is, the Pens are playing the Flyers or Senators. Making half of the work I did yesterday pointless.

I'll write up a Flyers/Penguins preview shortly. Or before the game. Or somewhere in between. Start taking bets, I want a share of the winnings.

Nick