Battle of Pennsylvania Round One
Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are set to meet in the Battle of Pennsylvania for the first time this season at 7 p.m. EST from PPG Paints Arena. Both teams have an almost identical record: 15 wins, 15 losses, and a difference in overtime losses. The teams come into this game separated by one point, with the Penguins having the extra point. Pittsburgh is three points out of a playoff spot, while Philadelphia is four points out.
For the Penguins, Tristan Jarry will be in the net, while the Flyers will use Samuel Ersson. Both goalies come into this matchup with a 7-5-2 record and a goals-allowed average over three. The Penguins will be without two defensemen, Marcus Pettersson and Owen Pickering, who are both injured. The Flyers are without forward Nicolas Deslauriers, who is their only injured player.
This is the 88th time Sidney Crosby will face off in the Battle of Pennsylvania, in the 87 previous games, Crosby has recorded 55 goals and 74 assists with a plus/minus of plus 17. With the two injured defensemen Pierre-Olivier Joseph, who was re-acquired by the Penguins last week, will make his second straight start. Philip Tomasino, who has been a bright spot for the Penguins has been moved down to the third line while Cody Glass moved onto the second line. The Penguins are looking to bounce back after getting shut out by the Devils on Saturday.
Pittsburgh’s special teams has been good this year, with a penalty kill at 82.4% which is ranked eighth in the league, and a powerplay at 22.2% which is ranked 13th in the league. For the Flyers, it has not been the same story. The Flyers come in with a penalty kill at 80.2% ranked 14th in the league and powerplay at just 15.6% which is 27th in the league. Erik Karlsson, who runs the powerplay for the Penguins can make his mark tonight against one of the worst penalty kills in the NHL.
The Penguins have a seven-game point streak against the Flyers going 5-0-2 in their last seven meetings. Pittsburgh is 6-0-2 against the Flyers in their last eight home meetings and 11-3-3 in their last 17 meetings. With an injured defense core and Jarry who averages over three goals a game, it is important for Sidney Crosby and the offense to find the back of the net tonight. The Penguins and Flyers face off for round one tonight at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN+.
