Dec 15, 2009 7:49 am US/Eastern
Flyers Vs. Penguins Preview
By: Casey Shea
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
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Bill Guerin, Sidney Crosby, Mark Eaton, Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang, of the Pittsburgh Penguins, celebrate Eaton's goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2009 Eastern Conference quarterfinal game on April 15, 2009.
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins begin a home and home series with cross-state rival Philadelphia tonight at Mellon Arena.
The Pens enter the game on a two-game winning streak after knocking off the Florida Panthers 3-2 for the third time this season.
Even more impressive, is that the Pens and Panthers have not been able to settle a game in regulation this season.
Tonight's battle with the Flyers will be the second meeting of the season. The Pens won 5-4 on the road in Philadelphia on Oct. 8.
In that game, five different Penguins scored and Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves to preserve the win.
It's been no secret that Sidney Crosby has embraced this rivalry and takes his game up a couple notches with the orange and black on the other side of the ice.
In 27 career games against Philadelphia, Crosby has recorded 20 goals and 26 assists.
Philadelphia made a big splash this summer when they acquired nasty defenseman Chris Pronger, but injuries have plagued the team all season long.
Currently, the Flyers are last in the Atlantic Division with 29 points and will be without starting goaltender Ray Emery until at least the middle of January after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Also out of action are Simon Gagne, Darroll Powe and Blair Betts.
Philadelphia comes into the Igloo tonight after knocking off the Boston Bruins 3-1 on the road Monday night to snap a two-game skid.
So far this season, the Flyers are 3-3 in the second game when they play on consecutive nights.
A starter for tonight's game has not been announced yet, but it will either be Brian Boucher or rookie Johan Backlund.
Boucher (4-7, 2.39 GAA, .909 save percentage) started last night's game against Boston and could conceivably get the nod against the Pens tonight as well.
However, Backlund has yet to make his NHL debut and it would be a slight risk to throw him to the wolves against Pittsburgh.
For the Pens, Fleury (18-8-1, 2.43 GAA, .905 save percentage) is expected to be back in goal.
In his career against the Flyers, Fleury holds a 16-6 record with a 2.72 GAA and .907 save percentage with two shutouts.
He has yet to record a shutout this season.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. and can be seen on Versus.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Progress At Consol Energy Center
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