The Pittsburgh Penguins (3-1-0) and Philadelphia Flyers (1-3-2) will face off tonight at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, with puck drop set for 8:00pm. You can watch the game on NBCSN as well as live online here.
The Flyers, coming off a hard-fought 6-5 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday, played an absolutely dreadful game last night in their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks, according to CSNPhilly.com's Tim Panaccio.
Philadelphia's coach Craig Berube said his team looked like "deer in the headlights."
From the get-go, the Blackhawks clearly had more jump in their step and, time and again, the Flyers' bigger, slower defensemen just couldn't keep pace with the waves of Chicago's firepower.
Captain Claude Giroux acknowledged the difficulties, but attempted to sound a positive note after the game.
"The first period we got embarrassed. We didn't win one battle," Giroux told Panaccio. "We've got to do a better job in front of [Steve] Mason. We're playing good and then too many mistakes out there cost us."
The Flyers started last season 1-7-0 before finding their stride and making a short playoff run. They'll hope to do the same this season.
As for the Penguins, they'll use essentially the exact same lineup that has seen them through their previous four tilts, according to NHL.com, headlined by Captain Sidney Crosby, who has been his normal, spectacular self, posting four goals and nine points so far this season.
The Penguins currently have the league's top-ranked offense, averaging 4.0 goals per game and top-ranked power play, with a 47.1 percent conversion rate.
While this seems like a serious mismatch on paper, these two teams often play some of the toughest, most entertaining games of any NHL season. Crosby is expecting a focused Flyers team and a difficult game.
"[The Flyers will be] pretty motivated, I think," Crosby said. "Regardless of whether they've won five in a row or lost [Tuesday], I think these games bring out the best in both teams and I would expect their best [Wednesday]."
Ray Emery will likely get the start in goal for Philadelphia tonight as the team rests regular starter Steve Mason after last night's lopsided affair. Philadelphia also may finally see the return of defenseman Braydon Coburn, but his status will most likely be a game-time decision.
New Pittsburgh head coach Mike Johnston has yet to experience the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh rivalry, but he's ready for his first taste.
"I know the intensity, the emotion around the game," Johnston said. "With an 82-game schedule some games blend into each other. But this one really stands out."
