On a poll Friday we asked who the Penguins fans wanted to see in the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. Almost 50% of the 2700+ respondents got their wish, as it will be none other than the Philadelphia Flyers facing the back-to-back champs right off the bat in Round 1.
Pittsburgh defeated Philadelphia all four times the teams faced off in the 2017-18 regular season. However, two of those games were decided the regular season format of 3-on-3 overtime, that doesn’t exist in the playoffs when it will stay 5 players aside until a goal is scored. Something to keep in mind, for what it’s worth. But when Pittsburgh and Philly clash you might as well throw records and past results right out the window.
The Pens earned home ice advantage, and that could be a key. Pittsburgh’s 30-9-2 home record was best in the Eastern Conference. Flip side is the Pens only won 17 of 41 games away from the friendly confines of PPG Paints Arena, the least among Eastern playoff teams this year.
The schedule will be released sometime later today. It’s expected that Game 1 in Pittsburgh will be either Wednesday or Thursday night. We can’t wait to preview the series up until then as we all prepare mentally and physically for an intense (and hopefully fun!) series.