Some tidbits.

From 1974 through 1988, the Pens did not win a single game in Philadelphia's Spectrum.  The Flyers amassed a home record of 40-0-3 in those years, and it wasn't until Mario Lemiuex came along that the Pens finally bested the Flyers in Philly.

Current GM Ray Shero is the son of ex-Flyers coach Fred Shero.  Fred Shero is the only coach to win the Cup with the Flyers.  Son Ray Shero is looking for his first title as a GM. 

The Flyers have had 7 different years in which they didn't lose to the Pens; the Pens had two such seasons.  The Flyers went a combined 29-0-5 in those 7 years; the Pens went 11-0-2-2 in their two years.

The Pens and Flyers have faced three times in the playoffs, all three won by Philly.  In 2000, the longest NHL playoff game took place in Pittsburgh, won in the 92nd minute of OT by Keith Primeau who beat Ron Tugnett. 

The Pittsburgh/Philadelphia rivalry is among the best in the NHL.  These two teams - quite frankly - hate one another.  There's no other word for it than hate.  The two meeting in the Conference Finals for the first time adds a new edge to this long-standing rivalry.  The bad blood is years old, and this year's regular season was just more of the same.  After sweeping the series last year, the Flyers came out and won four in a row to start the regular season.  Then the Pens won three in a row, including a 7-1 demolition of the Flyers in March.  The season finale for both teams had the Flyers winning a 1-0 game.  In that game, the Pens rested Crosby, went 0-8 on the power play and lost.  Afterwards, many people - including those in Philly - accused the Pens of tanking the game so that they would take on Ottawa rather than Philly in the opening round of the playoffs.  It generated some talk, but further emphasized how much these two teams simply dislike one another.  Now that the Pens and Flyers are facing off in the Eastern Conference Finals, it's hard to imagine how ugly things will get.  Nothing will be forgotten.  There's no need for bulletin board material.  There's no need to battle in the press.  Pittsburgh and Philadelphia sports fans simply realize the truth - this will be a long, dirty, nasty, ugly, and bitter interstate hockey series.  One team has to win, and one has to lose.  Come Friday night, we'll begin seeing who is the better team.