Photo Credit: Zack Hill
The Flyers are currently one point out of a playoff spot approaching the bye week and All-Star break, a familiar enemy, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in town to face a Flyers team that is still trying to prove itself as a contender. The Flyers did not have a super strenuous practice Monday morning, and every player came back to the locker room saying the same thing. The team must be ‘Ready’ to go tonight.
“They have been really good all season, without Malkin, and without Crosby,” Jake Voracek said following practice, “We have to be ready.” That was the common theme, the team has to be ready. “Everyone’s looking forward to it,” said All-Star winger Travis Konecny, “We also know as hard as we’re going to play on them and force them to make good plays, they’re also playing really good hockey,” another Flyer in Konecny preaching excitement, and readiness to face a hot opponent. With just one loss in their last five games, the Penguins certainly fit that qualification. The Flyers will look to gain two points on the Penguins, who are currently nine points ahead of the Flyers going into the bye week.
Joel Farabee and other younger players are getting their first tastes of the interstate rivalry, but are keeping their focus on winning games and making sure the team comes prepared, “Obviously it’s one more game before break,” said Farabee, “We want to end up on a high note here, it was a good practice today and I think we’ll be ready tomorrow.” ‘Be ready,’ the team must ‘Be ready.’ Philippe Myers is also getting his first taste of the rivalry, and is ready to leave it all out there, “After the game, everyone is aware there’s a bye week and the All-Star break. The mentality is that we have to leave it all out on the ice.”
The rivalry has always been bitter both on and off the ice, but Konecny is trying to keep his cool and hasn’t planned any jabs or chirps for tonight’s affair, “Try(ing) to stay quiet to be honest, but tomorrow, who knows. Maybe something will come up.”
