Pens Points: Flyers rivalry game day

The Penguins injury situation is opening up an opportunity for Derrick Pouliot and he is taking advantage of it. [Post-Gazette]

The Pens are in an easy part of their schedule, but an upcoming Islanders game looms very large. [PG-  Collier]

Colligan's awesome 5 questions sends some praise to Maxim Lapierre. Is it legal to compliment Lapierre on the internet or will the serves of advanced stats websites instantly combust? [The Pensblog]

The Flyers usually do well against the Penguins because the Flyers usually do well on the power play versus the Penguins. [Tribune Review]

Steve Mason turns down Team Canada for the World Championships. After his tumultuous year that included injuries, getting shelled in front of a crappy Flyers team, his goalie coaching quitting, it's hard to blame him. [BSH]

FWIW file, Joe Starkey calls the Pens impressive so far....Okay. [Trib]

Patric Hornqvist , net-front presence and playoffs. 3 great things for the upcoming weeks. [Trib]

Boston delivered a late (and likely decisive) victory over Florida last night that probably puts the nail in the coffin of the Panthers playoff hopes. [Litterbox Cats]

Alex Ovechkin scores goal numero 5-0 last night. More importantly, the Caps win and are back to just 1 point back of the Pens and Isles (though Pittsburgh has 1 game in hand on both). [Japers Rink]

Dustin Byfgulien will be the next contestant on the NHL's Wheel of Justice after a very bad cross-check last night. [Blueshirt Banter]

Big Buff "could have broken Miller's neck" and, for once, the offended coach really isn't speaking in hyperbole in this situation. [Pro Hockey Talk]

Chris Kreider did score a beautiful breakaway goal last night. [NHL.com]

Drew Miller of the Red Wings took a really nasty skate to the face/eye last night. [WARNING REALLY GRAPHIC, but you've probably seen or avoided it anyways. Winging it in Motown]

If the Blues lose early, there could be a lot of changes in St. Louis next season. Would be interesting to follow for Ray Shero and/or Dan Bylsma's future potential employers... [St. Louis Gametime]

And in totally non-made up April Fools Stories:

• Colorado re-signs Jan Hejda! [Mile High Hockey]
• Boston re-signs Gregory Campbell! [SCoC]
• Carey Price out 6-8 months after back surgery! [EoTP]