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Which city in Pennsylvania has the best NHL team? The next couple of weeks will provide the answer to that question, and to some of these as well:
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Can the Flyers manage without Kimmo Timonen? It won’t be easy and maybe impossible. Losing a key member of your blue line is always difficult, but in Philadelphia’s case they’re going to be missing the best one they have, not to mention a veteran whose composure is as important as his skill. That’s going to be brutal against the explosive Penguins. The Flyers had him pegged to play against Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby so they’ll be hurting enough on that level, but they’re also losing a solid offensive d-man who gets the puck out of their own end to start rushes and quarterbacks the power play. A bad, bad break for Philadelphia.
Is pain necessary for gain? The Penguins are a skilled team that can play with an edge, but in the only playoff game they've lost, they were hit hard and often by the Rangers, and it made a difference. Philadelphia is physical and likes to lay the body on every chance it gets, and the effort produces a cumulative effect as a series wears on. Chances are this round will be longer than the previous two for the Penguins, so how they manage to withstand a heavier level punishment will be critical.
Does Martin Biron have to steal this series? He has been the star for Philadelphia in the playoffs, a potential Conn Smythe candidate because he has won games the Flyers should have probably lost. He has done it facing two pretty good offenses, but neither that has as much overall firepower as the Penguins. The real danger for Biron is his team's penchant for taking penalties in these playoffs. They have been penalized more than anyone, and if that continues, he will probably have to be a thief for his team to advance.
Is Marian Hossa about to break loose? He has developed a rep over the years for falling flat at playoff time, and he didn't do much to change that in the first round against his old team, the Senators. Hossa scored only once in that sweep despite a slew of chances and failed to convert many of his opportunities against the Rangers. But Hossa did score four times against New York, including the winner among his two in the series clincher, so he could be in for bigger things now that his comfort level on a line with Crosby is rising.
What are the biggest intangible factors? The playoffs are a long, demanding grind so the quicker you get things done, the better. Pittsburgh has needed only nine games to get to this round, while the Flyers have taken 12. Meanwhile, the Flyers are hoping R.J. Umberger can keep up his torrid scoring pace because his nine playoff goals are only four fewer than he scored in the regular season -- but six of his regular-season goals came against the Penguins.
