Flyers-Penguins Preview: Will the Flyers Win?

Tonight is another Battle of Pennsylvania, as the Flyers and the Penguins clash together in Pittsburgh.

There have been two offenses about these teams this season: The Penguins can score but the Flyers can't. Except for the last two games.

The Penguins' offense has seemed to have its tires blown out, as they have been held to one goal in each of the last two games while the Flyers have scored nine over that period.

The Flyers seem to have responded to owner Ed Snider calling the team's offensive effort "pathetic." They've already had a coaching change in Craig Berube and the next thing that usually happens is the players will be moving. So the Flyers made sure to respond so that none of their butts don't get canned.

Claude Giroux has finally scored some goals and is back to his usual ways of being a threat on the ice. He was robbed last night in a big effort in Ottawa and prevented him from getting goals in back-to-back games.

The Flyers are finally getting healthy. Vincent Lecavalier and Steve Downie were injured in the 7-0 loss to the Capitals some weeks ago. Lecavalier missed one game, but Downie missed five and returned on Tuesday. The Flyers' offense is coming back, as all three lines are now capable of scoring.

The Penguins, meanwhile, have problems of their own. Evgeni Malkin has no goals in the past 10, although he does have assists in the past four. At this rate, he could have 15 goals by the end of the season. However, his line mate, James Neal, has been injured for all but the last game. Sidney Crosby has no points in his last two games and no goals in the last seven. Alarming trend for the Penguins, who rely on Crosby and Malkin, to provide the scoring sheet.

The power play for the Penguins is 0-for-9 from the past three games. And the penalty kill for the Flyers is 16 of 17 situations. Bad news for the Penguins there.At least they've killed off their last 17.

I'm not sure that the Penguins can solve their offensive problems tonight. Philadelphia is coming in, off a big win in Ottawa, and they'll be hungry to take advantage of the Penguins' poor offensive play. In that case, I believe the Flyers will win this game because the Penguins won't have enough time to solve their offensive problems before Claude Giroux and the rest of the Flyers put the goals in net.