The Pittsburgh Penguins are starting to mirror their cross state rivals. Both of these teams have high powered offenses with shaky defenses and a huge question mark in net heading into the 2013-14 season. Dan Bylsma and Peter Laviolette will be looking for strong starts to their seasons.
This summer, the Flyers bought out Ilya Bryzgalov and brought in Ray Emery to compete with Steve Mason. The Penguins drafted highly touted Tristan Jarry with their first selection in the NHL draft. There is no surprise that the Flyers bought out Bryzgalov as his numbers were less than desirable. The same will be said for Marc-Andre Fleury if he doesn’t turn things around this season. Both of these teams are atop the NHL in the power-play, as the Penguins have Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and James Neal, while the Flyers have Claude Giroux, Vincent Lecavalier and Jakub Voracek.
Exhibition games have started in the NHL and both of these teams have already shown that they can light the lamp with regularity. However, stopping the puck is already a concern for the Penguins and Flyers. The Penguins started the preseason with the Columbus Blue Jackets as Fleury allowed two goals on 12 shots and the Pens lost in overtime 5-4.
The Flyers kicked off the preseason with the Toronto Maple leafs as Mason was lit up for three goals in the first period en route to a 4-3 loss.
Vokoun and Emery didn’t fair too much better for their respective teams.
Vokoun allowed four goals on fifteen shots against the Red Wings and Emery gave up three goals to the Capitals.
Ray Shero is a true genius when it comes to making deals and Paul Holmgren isn’t afraid to make drastic changes to his roster. That being said, the carousel continues in Pittsburgh with Fleury, Vokoun, and now Jarry. Since 1986, there have been 17 players to put on the pads for the Flyers.
I guess the two franchises aren’t so different, are they?
