Flyers Notes: Next chapter in Flyers-Penguins rivalry
Even though he did not face the Pittsburgh Penguins when he was with the Flyers at the end of last season, goalie Steve Mason is well-versed on the fierce rivalry.
Even though he did not face the Pittsburgh Penguins when he was with the Flyers at the end of last season, goalie Steve Mason is well-versed on the fierce rivalry.
The teams usually play wildly entertaining (read: high-scoring) games, and they will meet Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center.
"I've seen all the playoff series and the heated regular-season games that this organization has had against them," Mason said after Wednesday's practice in Voorhees. "I think you always want to measure yourself against the best players in the world, and they definitely have a couple of them and a great supporting cast. It's a game we should have no problem getting up for."
Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby leads the NHL with 12 points.
"It's always fun playing those guys," winger Wayne Simmonds said. "I think going back to my first game I played against them there was a line brawl, and there's line brawl after line brawl after line brawl ever since we've played them for the last three years. I think it's great. It's great for the game, it's great for the fans, and I think it brings a little more out of the boys."
Breakaways
The Flyers spent part of Wednesday's practice reenacting the behind-the-net play that led to Vancouver's second goal in its 3-2 win Tuesday. . . . Former Flyer Harry Zolnierczyk, filling in for the injured Beau Bennett, played on the Penguins' third line Tuesday. Defenseman Kris Letang and forward James Neal are among the injured Penguins.