Penguins Playoff Preview: The Battle of Pennsylvania
I’m worried.
When you compare us to the Flyers, our first-round playoff foe, we stack up as the superior team in most statistical categories (as well as on paper). We have a far better regulation record (35-24-23 vs. 27-27-28). A far superior goal differential (+25 vs. +7).
Five-on-five, we’ve outscored our opponents 201-173, for a goals for percentage of 53.74, as opposed to the Flyers’ 51.94 percent (161-149).
A better power-play? Yes. A 24.14 percent conversion rate vs. the Flyers’ anemic 15.74 percent. Penalty-killing? Despite our recent slide, you betcha (81.43 percent vs 77.55 percent).
Star power?
Same deal. The Pens can trot out still-potent former Hart, Ross and Smythe Trophy winners Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, along with three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. To say nothing of All-Star caliber players Kris Letang, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. Thirty-three goal-man Anthony Mantha and sniper Egor Chinakhov, too.
In particular, our ability to roll four solid lines is a huge plus.
The Flyers boast a good young core of Jamie Drysdale, Travis Konecny, Trevor Zegras, Matvei Michkov, Owen Tippett and 19-year-old Porter Martone.