PITTSBURGH -- Regardless of mitigating circumstances, games between the cross-state rival Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers tend to be hotly contested.
On Sunday afternoon, when the Flyers visit PPG Paints Arena, there will be an added plot twist -- the way the outcome will affect the incredibly tight Metropolitan Division standings.
Philadelphia (38-25-12) can pull even with Pittsburgh (42-27-6) in points with a regulation win, while the Penguins can gain some separation from the Flyers and keep their hopes alive for a division title.
The teams have not played such a meaningful game this late in the season in several years.