Here are predictions from Daily News staffers and Pittsburgh columnist Gene Collier on the series that we printed in today's newspaper.
You will note that Sam Donnellon is the only one selecting the Flyers. Sam and Ed Barkowitz are tied with the best record in our NHL selections with a 9-3 record. Sam is 6-0 in the East and has picked three of his nine winners in the correct number of games.
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Also, here are Ed Barkowitz's keys to the series:
1. Breaking serve.
Pittsburgh has won its five home playoff games by a combined score of 19-9 and hasn't lost at Mellon Arena in the 13 home games since goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury returned from an ankle injury on March 2.
2. Don't be stupid.
The Penguins. speed will force the Flyers into some penalties, that's inevitable. It's the infractions away from the play - the slashes at center ice, the smearing of a defenseless Penguins player against the glass - that the Flyers need to stay away from.
3. Stay aggressive.
The Flyers' inability to turn two-goal leads into coasting victories during the first two series is a red flag.
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On a programming note, Rich Hofmann will have the live blog of Game 1 tonight from Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh.
Rich Hofmann has been at the Daily News since 1980. He previously blogged the Eagles' postseason run in 2006. 
Ed Barkowitz was the first Philadelphia Newspaper journalist to write a blog, starting back in 2002.
Comments (31)
As much as I hate to say it, I don't see how the Flyers can win this series without Timmonen. He's too vital in too many aspects of the game.
Posted by Dave | May 9, 2008 11:10 AM
The Timonen loss can't be over-stated. it would be like the eagles losing brian dawkins in his prime before a playoff game against a high-powered offense.
Posted by Bob | May 9, 2008 11:15 AM
They haven't even dropped the puck and yer throwing in our towel? Balls. COBURN.
Posted by playboy | May 9, 2008 11:47 AM
You people are lame, way to show support. With or without Kimmo the Flyers will be ready for the challenge. Malkin and Crosby both can be taken off their game if you play them physical. Why doesnt Stevens put Kapanen back on D, he's got quickness and smarts just like Kimmo.
Posted by JB | May 9, 2008 11:56 AM
Agreed. Let's not drop our drawers at the first sign of adversity. Literally, this battle has not begun.
Posted by flyler | May 9, 2008 12:01 PM
saying the loss of timonen sucks isn't the same as throwing in the towel.
Posted by Bob | May 9, 2008 12:05 PM
Huge blow for the Flyers and it will hurt them on D but also on PP. When Timonen was out for a little in the season, the PP looked sloppy at best. Will be interesting to see who is on the point. There's going to be more pressure on Richards and Carter to play like Selke finalists out there on D.
I don't think they can break up the Dowd/Thor/Sami line right now. That's an underrated line designed for pressure and slowing the game down. That and I think Sami has lost a stride or two since 04 when they played him on the blueline. Modry would be the safe move but he is too slow. Parent might be getting the call. He will be a big part of the Flyers future but I didn't think it would happen this early. If that's the case, welcome to the playoffs kid.
Posted by Mike | May 9, 2008 12:05 PM
So which forward can pull a Bill Barber and be effective from the front line and pull double-duty as a defenseman? This really hurts the Flyers more than can be stated. Trying to beat the best offense in the conference without your best defenseman is a major challenge.
Posted by Joe | May 9, 2008 12:16 PM
Yes the loss of Timonen hurts a bit but this is where the team can step up. Modry fills in 5 on 5 situations and you send Kapanen back on the blue line for the second powerplay unit. He is used sparingly as it is and has continually flourished when given more ice time. Yes, he may have lost a step, but is still a defensively responsible player.
We can do this.
Posted by Sparkie13 | May 9, 2008 12:18 PM
Crosby has blood clots in both ankles, and Malkin has blood clots in his lips.
Timmonen is a pansy wuss...Flyers suck...Trade your hockey tickets in for baseball tiks. Time to stop the Goalie-Running train that should of crashed back in Washington you lucky bastards.
Posted by PENGUIN - NATION | May 9, 2008 12:25 PM
Our MAGNIFICIENT 7 -- 20 plus goal scorers will have something to show for Tinnomen's absence, FOR HIM AND FOR THE TEAM! Yo, Philadelphia, don't give up YET! One player doesn't make the whole team...remember THIS IS PLAYOFF HOCKEY! WE HAVE BIRON...WHICH IS ALMOST A CLONE TO THE GREAT BERNIE PARENT. The Flyers have already proven themselves against the Habs...(shhh...the Habs thought they were the best)
COME ON FLYERS FANS, STAND UP WITH OUR PHILLY PRIDE AND SUPPORT OUR FLYERS. ENOUGH OF THIS DOWNPLAYING. THIS SERIES DIDN'T EVEN START...THE FLYERS WILL PREVAIL...THEY ARE HUNGRY, HUSTLING AND TENANCIOUS. The FLYERS WILL BEAT THE PENS.
Posted by SexyLexy | May 9, 2008 12:26 PM
i didn't like the "cinderella" tag on the flyers earlier in the week, but with kimmo out we are for sure. he eats minutes, qbs our 1st pp unit, and knows when to jump up in the play. it hurts me to say this, but i think the pens win barring some devious strategy by stevens. he outcoached boudreau and carbonneau, why can't he work some magic again? as long as biron steps it up we have a shot, albeit a long one.
Posted by dave | May 9, 2008 12:39 PM
The one major problem Steven's needs to assess is the combination of Smith and Modry. He can not have this combo out against cindy or gyno or else its over. Smith and Modry were a combined minus 14(not accurate, but close) against the caps. The caps would try getting ovechkin on the ice whenever they could against these two.
With that said, i think its time to let Ryan Parent show us why he was so highly touted.
The biggest player in this series will be Lasse Kuks. You heard it here first.
LETS GO FLYERS
Posted by Flyers4life | May 9, 2008 12:39 PM
REPLY TO PENGUIN-NATION
Your rude comment doesn't even merit attention...BUT...SINCE YOU ARE SUCH AN AUTHORITY ON STUPITY AND EXPLETIVES... Reply back WHEN THE FLYERS OUTPLAY AND OUT SCORE THE PENS. PHILLY ROCKS AND THE FLYERS FLY! LET'S GO FLYERS!! YOUR FANS LOVE YOU!!! YES...WE WILL BE DANCING ON BROAD STREET.... Come on Pens...show us your stuff... in fact...bring on Bing Crosby....bot-a-BING LOL!
Posted by SexyLexy | May 9, 2008 12:46 PM
Maybe its just me, but if I were Timmonen and the doctor said the WORST case scenario was losing my toes....Id play.
I know blood clots are serious and if there was any kind of risk of death I can understand but honestly, he said it himself "How many chances do you get to play in an Eastern Conference finals???"
To me the reward is worth risking my toes.
Posted by Bigtime93 | May 9, 2008 1:15 PM
GO FLYERS GO PLAY HARD AND TOUGH GO FLYERS GO ORANGE CRUSH THIS SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
Posted by DARRIN .F | May 9, 2008 1:59 PM
GO FLYERS GO PLAY HARD AND TOUGH GO FLYERS GO ORANGE CRUSH THIS SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
Posted by DARRIN .F | May 9, 2008 1:59 PM
GO FLYERS GO PLAY HARD AND TOUGH GO FLYERS GO ORANGE CRUSH THIS SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
Posted by DARRIN .F | May 9, 2008 1:59 PM
GO FLYERS GO PLAY HARD AND TOUGH GO FLYERS GO ORANGE CRUSH THIS SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
Posted by DARRIN .F | May 9, 2008 1:59 PM
GO FLYERS GO PLAY HARD AND TOUGH GO FLYERS GO ORANGE CRUSH THIS SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
Posted by DARRIN .F | May 9, 2008 1:59 PM
GO FLYERS GO PLAY HARD AND TOUGH GO FLYERS GO ORANGE CRUSH THIS SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
Posted by DARRIN .F | May 9, 2008 1:59 PM
GO FLYERS GO PLAY HARD AND TOUGH GO FLYERS GO ORANGE CRUSH THIS SERIES WITH PITTSBURGH
Posted by DARRIN .F | May 9, 2008 1:59 PM
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS
Posted by FLYERS FAN | May 9, 2008 2:00 PM
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS
Posted by FLYERS FAN | May 9, 2008 2:00 PM
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS
Posted by FLYERS FAN | May 9, 2008 2:00 PM
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS
Posted by FLYERS FAN | May 9, 2008 2:00 PM
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS
Posted by FLYERS FAN | May 9, 2008 2:00 PM
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS
Posted by FLYERS FAN | May 9, 2008 2:00 PM
SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING COMPUTER PROBLEMS
Posted by FLYERS FAN | May 9, 2008 2:00 PM
Malkin's blood clots in his lips are a direct result of him sucking on Crosby's wang
Posted by bully broad | May 9, 2008 2:56 PM
I was really hoping that Joe Benanati would NOT be calling our series but it appears that we are screwed! This guy is a hack and should not be calling games on this level. I was really hoping Mike Emerick would be calling the Flyers vs Penguins series but when I turned on the Detroit game last night all hopes were dashed.
Is anyone else on board with me on this?
Posted by ED | May 9, 2008 4:10 PM