Why the New Jersey Devils would be a tougher matchup for the Pittsburgh Penguins than the Philadelphia Flyers 

I had a debate with an uncle about who would be a tougher matchup for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first-round. At one point I claimed it would be the Philadelphia Flyers because it would be the battle of Pennsylvania. He claimed it would be the New Jersey Devils because they have skill, structure, and goaltending.

After the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on Wednesday night, I thought about it really deep. In ways, I agree that the New Jersey Devils would be a tougher matchup than the Philadelphia Flyers would be.

Even though the Pittsburgh Penguins had Casey DeSmith playing in net in both Pittsburgh Penguins losses against the New Jersey Devils this season, New Jersey was able to do one thing that Philadelphia couldn't. The Devils clogged the neutral zone and they slowed done the rushing attack of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Backup Keith Kinkaid played in net in both games for the Devils because of an injury to Cory Schneider. Kinkaid played better than Brian Elliott and Petr Mrazek (Flyers Goalies) has against the Pittsburgh Penguins so far this season.

Pittsburgh is 3-0 against Philadelphia and the Penguins have scored five goals in each of the first three contests. Philadelphia didn't show enough discipline against them by taking penalties and letting the Penguins fly around the ice all game. They didn't clog the neutral zone and it allowed odd-man-rushes.

Pittsburgh loves to score goals and have won 37 games this season when they have scored three goals or more in a game. Pittsburgh has two games all season when they have scored two goals or less.

If the season ended right, the Pittsburgh Penguins would face the New Jersey Devils in the first-round and the Philadelphia Flyers would face the Washington Capitals. I do believe New Jersey would give fits to Pittsburgh because of Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Stefan Noesen, Kyle Palmieri, and others. They have better finishers than the Flyers do. Pittsburgh plays New Jersey two more times this season and Pittsburgh plays Philadelphia one more time this season.