Matchup vs. Flyers has some meaning of late, like 1st in Metro
PHILADELPHIA — There’s a better chance Penguins-Flyers games these days turn into track meets than boxing matches, but that’s ignoring the most important part of this particular conversation: Finally, after a couple of down years, these games matter again.
The Flyers have missed the playoffs in three of the past five seasons. In the other two, they went out in the first round.
But the game Wednesday was for first place in the Metropolitan Division, the first meeting in a while where the stakes have been this high.
“There’s always a little bit extrain those games,” Sidney Crosby said after morning skate at Wells Fargo Center. “With what’s on the line — important points, divisional stuff — I think it’s to be expected that it’ll pick up.”
Not a minute too soon, either, although it’s not likely for the bitterness that exists between these two teams to manifest itself in fights. Yet there’s ample evidence of the vitriol that exists between these two cities, fan bases and organizations. Penguins-Flyers is always one you circle on the schedule.
“They’re really fun games to play,” Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux said. “They’re not easy games to play. But it’s easy to get up and play some hockey when you know you’re playing the Penguins.”
This rivalry now, perhaps more than ever during Crosby’s career, is about skill and speed, though it certainly doesn’t diminish how much these games mean.
“The game’s changed in how it’s being played out there,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “Personnel has changed, but rivalries are rivalries. There’s always a heightened emotion associated with the games. They’re a lot of fun to be a part of. This will be a hardfought battle [Wednesday].”
These teams meet one more time this season — March 25 at PPG Paints Aren a — although a playoff series between the rivals is looking more and more likely. It would be their first playoff meetingsince 2011-12.
Philadelphia has won 9 of 11 and 10 of 11 in separate hot stretches since Jan. 4. Jake Voracek is tied for the NHL lead in assists (57), while Giroux is two back (55) and has 78 points, just eight less than NHL scoring leader Nikita Kucherov of Tampa Bay.
“They’re playing with a lot of confidence,” Sullivan said of the Flyers. “They’ve really come together as a team. They have balance through their lineup. They’re playing extremely well right now. Some of their younger players have grown and matured. They’re getting pretty solid years out of some of their veteran guys like Giroux or Couturier. They’re playing really well right now. It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
Select survey
The NHLPA released some high school yearbookstyle superlatives Wednesday morning, and the results painted Sidney Crosby in a very good light.
Crosby was voted most difficult to play against and best role model — which he won in a landslide (33.0 percent to 9.6) over Chicago’s Jonathan Toews. His fellow players also selected Crosby as the best team player and the player they would want most to win one game (another landslide, 43.7-15.3, over Edmonton’s Connor McDavid).
There were a couple of interesting categories involving former Penguins.
Ryan Reaves was voted the league’s toughest player in an overwhelming majority, with a 44.7 percent to 14.8 edge over Edmonton’s Milan Lucic.
Crosby is considered the best coach, should he decide to go that route after he’s done playing, but fourth in that category was Matt Cullen.
McDavid did edge out Crosby in one category: Who you would want to start a franchise. Easily because of his age, McDavid picked up 48.6 percent of votes to 23.8 for Crosby.
Players were asked which coach they would most like to play for. Oddly, two-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Sullivan did not make the top five.
Brown U. player signs
Hollidays burg native Sam Lafferty signed to a twoyear, entry-level contract, beginning with the 2018-19 season. He will report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this weekend on an amateur tryout contract. Lafferty, 23, had eight goals and 22 points as a senior at Brown University this past season. His point and assist totals led the team. The Penguins drafted Lafferty in the fourth round (113th overall) in 2014.