In all likelihood the Penguins and the Flyers will clash in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs during the very near future. If Sunday’s matinee contest at CONSOL Energy Center was a preview, the Pens could be in big trouble. After striking for two quick goals, the home team crumbled like the dome on the old Civic Arena en route to a frustrating 6-4 defeat at the hands of their cross-state rivals.

With the memory of a bitter last-second overtime loss to the Flyers on March 18 still burning in their collective conscience, the Penguins ripped into their foes from the opening draw. After weathering an early Philly thrust, Steve Sullivan chipped a one-timer off a Flyers defender and past Sergei Bobrovsky at 1:14.

Near the five-minute mark the amped-up Pens widened their lead to 2-0, thanks to crisp passing play by the “Firing Line.” Chris Kunitz fed Evgeni Malkin, who quickly moved the puck to a wide-open James Neal below the right circle. The big winger rifled a shot past Bobrovsky to the stick side for his 39th goal of the season.

Realizing his club was in dire straits, Philly coach Peter Laviolette called a time out to settle his troops. The move worked like charm. While the locals frittered away their early momentum with drop passes and fancy east-to-west plays, the visitors went to work. Following a glaring turnover by Matt Cooke, Claude Giroux cashed in from the high slot at 15:09. Ex-Pen Max Talbot provided another spark for the orange and black when he challenged Neal at the buzzer.

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