The Penguins against Flyers is a rivalry so big, it's kicking off NBC's season coverage Saturday in Philadelphia. It's an opener worthy of the spot. The Flyers–Penguins rivalry is a rivalry between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins in the Atlantic Division of the National Hockey League. It began in 1967 when the teams were introduced into the NHL's "Next Six" expansion wave. The rivalry exists due to divisional alignment and geographic location, as both teams play in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Flyers lead the series 143–82–30. The Flyers and Penguins have met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 3 of the last 5 seasons, strengthening the rivalry


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At the Pittsburgh Penguins’ open scrimmage Wednesday, more than 18,000 fans filled Consol Energy Center after lining up for hours outside. Club officials opened the arena’s luxury boxes to accommodate the overflow, but they still had to turn people away. As if the end of the NHL lockout and delayed start to the hockey season wasn’t enough to excite any fan of the sport, the 2013 season will open with the intense rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Their six-game series highlighted the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Flyers ended up serving the favorite Penguins an early postseason exit, only to be eliminated by the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Philadelphia ousted the Penguins in six games during the opening round of the 2012 Eastern Conference playoffs. The series was marked by an incredible display of offense, or, if you prefer, a terrible display of defense, and also featured too many physical altercations to recall.

"It's a big game," said Pens head coach Dan Bylsma. "It's the start of the season and it's a divisional game vs. Philly. I think every player, new or guys that have been on this team for a while, know that rivalry, and are going to experience it come Saturday."

The Pens, of course, are out for a measure of revenge in Philadelphia on Saturday and having their superstar captain Sidney Crosby healthy at the start of the season is a good sign. Crosby, who was limited to only 63 regular- season games over the past two seasons due to concussion and neck issues, didn't make his season debut until late November in 2011-12.

Neither team had a particularly stellar performance in the playoffs—especially Pittsburgh. Both sides are sure to have that in mind as they try and start off the abbreviated season on a strong note.