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Less than a week after a heated contest that saw the two teams, and their coaches, go after each other, the Pittsburgh Penguins (50-25-6, 106 points) and Philadelphia Flyers (47-25-9, 103 points) square off again in a regular season finale that will serve as an Eastern Conference playoff preview.
Last week's physical contest and late-game brawl is still fresh in both teams' minds, but Saturday's contest meaning nothing in the standings may keep the affairs more civil. Pittsburgh has already clinched the No. 4 seed in the East, and will welcome the Flyers back to CONSOL Energy Center next week when the playoffs begin. Philadelphia is locked into the fifth seed in the East.
Penguins star Evgeni Malkin needs one goal to reach 50 for the first time in a season. Pittsburgh will rest James Neal and Steve Sullivan with minor injuries, but both are expected to be ready for the playoffs.
Despite Pittsburgh's stellar play in 2012, they have not been able to solve Philadelphia, especially not a home. The Flyers ave won four of the past five meeting with the Penguins, and have not lost at CONSOL Energy Center since the building opened in 2010.
For all the latest news and analysis on the Penguins, visit PensBurgh. If you are a Flyers fan, make sure to stop by Broad Street Hockey. Still not enough hockey for you? Make sure to visit the SB Nation NHL Hub page for all the latest news on every team in the NHL down the stretch run and on the road to the Stanley Cup Finals.