Letter from the Enemy, Part 1

by Travis Hughes on Apr 15, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in 2009 NHL Playoffs

As part of our coverage of the first round series between the Flyers and the Pens, FrankD from Pensburgh will be stopping in and addressing us first hand with his thoughts. In return, I'm giving my thoughts over there, so go take a peek at my gloating.

Hey Flyers fans,

Alas, we meet again. It's a shame it has to be so soon too. I'd rather we let you guys get as close as possible without winning, much like you experienced last year.

Of course Pens fans don't need a lesson in that. But that can change this year, and it can begin as soon as the Penguins beat you guys down (again).

Can Marty Biron secure Philly's chances? Take it from a Pitt fan - a lot of people doubted Marc-Andre Fleury's play for part of last season but his performance in the Finals really showed just how phenomenal a goaltender he can be. In that sense I can more or less comprehend whatever doubts Philly fans have that may circle around Biron. If you don't have any then that's a clear indication of fan support (not to be mistaken with the lack of during the final horn at the last regular season home game). Rest assured many Pens fans doubt Biron has come along much since last season too. We have so much in common already.

Offensively, especially on the PP, you guys are a force. No denying it. Mike Richards is just as scary on the PK as he is on the PP. As I've said all week, six 25+ goal scorers is not something any team should take lightly. But Pitt's PK is playing extremely well lately and will likely turn this into a series that relies heavily on 5-on-5 hockey.

There's not much more to say that hasn't been said already. Let's do this thing already.

FrankD
Pensburgh

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

this d**che

why do we care what this ape thinks again? Just like Crosby, runs his mouth and tries to give a preverbial punch in the nuts and run away

who cares, lets do this

by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 15, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

Just in good fun, easy man..

Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.

by Travis Hughes on Apr 15, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

If you’re going to say anything you can at least acknowledge my awesome chops…

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Apr 15, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

touche on the chops

but i wouldnt have reacted the way i did if i hadnt heard that from every pittsburgh penguins fan at psu say the exact same thing

stale comments get stale

by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Apr 15, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Stale comments get stale because they linger. They only linger if there’s some truth. And his point (and the stale comments you’ve been inundated with) is a valid one. I’m sure he’s tired of hearing about Sid being a crybaby and Malkin being unable to handle getting knocked around. But they’re just as true.

by Geoff Detweiler on Apr 15, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

im an ape-man, youre an ape-man

he’s got a point… can biron tone down the big rebounds and take control of the series and not make costly mistakes…???

But i think there is a more lingering question mark for the pens, what sort of team do they really have? sure they can score, but who’s on their team this year? can’t keep track of their revolving door locker room… can they rally behind a minor league interim coach in Dan Bylsma, who lets the team “have fun” and takes a flyers like aggressive approach to the game.

Sure that’s great when ya get to play while da masters away. But now it’s time to prove you got the goods with your make-shift team and usually for the pens it’s the ‘sid and the other guys’ line or the ‘Malkin and the rest of the team’ line…

What happens when the puck doesn’t bounce favorably on their stick and SID and NANCY don’t get their way? Pens lose…

PENS lose… I like how that rolls out… Pens lose.

You guys are at home, the pressure is on you. I’m feeling a Flyers victory tonight!

GO FLYERS

by fitzy first on Apr 15, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

In my opinion the Flyers have more depth. As I mentioned in the letter the six different 25-goal scorers is a definitive edge. I don’t think this necessarily means that shutting down Sid and Geno will seal each and every game for Philly but it will be much harder to the Pens to make something happen. Scoring runs deep in the Philly lineup. I guess if Malkin and Crosby can’t do the scoring they can at least set them up. We’re hoping the third line – Staal, Kennedy, Cooke – can really step it up in this round. They’ve been phenomenal since assembling over the past few weeks and can mix grit with finesse.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Apr 15, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

sure, those guys are respectable… i’ll take them on my team any day. but, who will replace what Hossa did to the Flyers last year?

by fitzy first on Apr 15, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Don’t underestimate (or forget) Chris Kunitz. I’m not by any means saying he’s equal to Marian Hossa but he does mesh well with Sid and Geno. He’s had an immediate impact since joining up in Pitt and really is a pest in front of the net. Your d-men will have to focus on keeping him away from Biron. Whatever guys you have around the cage will also have to play disciplined hockey because he can really get under their skin.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Apr 15, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d argue that the gritty guys like Ruutu and Laraque will be missed more, I don’t think our fourth line can provide any help this year.

A big responsibility will lie with our third line crew: Staal, Cooke, and Kennedy. they have been playing great of late and will have a big role in dealing with Philly’s depth. They are going to get plenty of time against your top lines, how they do will be a big factor in the series.

by Phantaskippy on Apr 15, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

if the flyers were identified as an animal, and they areeeeee

flightless birds, when will you learn to stop dancing like it’s march madness. [reference to happy feet]

come get some

by kolparty on Apr 15, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

Love this rivalry

Hey guys, yes im a penguins fan but I like to read what the other teams fans are saying and I like to friendly stir things up a bit…. Ive been a penguins fan since I knew what the sport was. My dad was born and raised in pittsburgh and my mom is a natural born philadelphian so Ive known this rivalry for quite some time. I was born and raised in florida untill i was 13 then moved to cleveland. I travel to both cities alot to see family. I was recently there at the end of feb. If i would have known the pens and flyers were playing on the sun i was there i would have tried to go to the game. Im a steeler fan also so. But I cant wait for this series to start tonight and what better way to start by having these 2 play. These are the type of rivalries that will get hockey more cred. Im not going to say last years series was a fluke for the pens, you guys were hurt and we had a hell of a playoff run up to that series. This year will not be the same and I know that. Not going to lie I didnt want to face you guys this year till later. The whole eastern conference was stacked this year except maybe new york and montreal which IMO were the biggest upsets this year. I did watch your game online against the rangers hoping for home ice and thanks to the rangers we got it. I do not have VS or any special channels so i have to watch basically all the games online. If anyone is in the same boat i am and are trying to watch the games online try www.channelsurfing.net its a great website thats how I watched your game against the rangers. Ill be back thru out this series so good luck.

by OLDSKOOLPENS on Apr 15, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

It will be a good one

i am a Pens fan but now living in Norristown…this is going to be an incredibly physical series. Both of these teams are obviously more fresh than they were in the Finals last year, and it’s going to show. It’s going to come down to special teams…both of the penalty kills are solid. The Pens power play definitely needs to put it together. It will be fun!!!!

by shafnutz05 on Apr 15, 2009 3:33 PM EDT reply actions