The Philadelphia Flyers have done just about everything wrong to start the 2014 NHL season. The team is currently 1-3-2 on the season and giving little hope that things will change. However, facing the Pittsburgh Penguins could change all of that. The Flyers have had the number of the Penguins in recent games especially on the road. Pittsburgh is 3-10-1 in their last 14 games at home against Philadelphia. With the Penguins playing well, can they change that?
Pittsburgh is doing everything right to start the year off. The team has totaled 16 goals right now while being 3-1 on the season. They are leading the league in power play going 8 for 17 while opponents are going 6 for 22 against them. The team is fresh off a win over the New York Islanders where the team went scoreless on any power play opportunities. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby continues to play at a high level with four goals and five assists to begin the year. He became just the third member of the Penguins to reach 500 career assists which should come in handy as the Penguins try and end a four-game slide to the Flyers.
Philadelphia is struggling heading into this rivalry matchup. They split the first two games of a three-game trip and have allowed four power play goals during that time which could be an issue going up against Pittsburgh. The team is at their worst in the first period where they have allowed eight of their 23 non shootout goals. The Flyers are coming off a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks where they were shutout 4-0. Steve Mason allowed the team to be outshot in the first period 19-9 while giving up three goals in the process.
The Penguins are on the move this season with a championship as the priority. With the Flyers sluggish start to the season, they will try and capitalize early for the win.
