Excitement Builds for Stanley Cup Playoffs
We’re on the brink of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and honestly, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic year.
The Buffalo Sabers are gearing up for an exciting first-round face-off against the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. However, the most thrilling storyline is the rekindled rivalry in Pennsylvania between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In an intense start to their series, the Flyers claimed victory over the Penguins in Game 1 and followed it up with a shutout in Game 2. They now hold a 2-0 lead as the series shifts back to Philadelphia.
This rivalry hasn’t been seen in the postseason since 2018, and I have to say, I’d almost forgotten how electric it could be.
It brings to mind the iconic Beaver Stadium, home of Penn State, and I find myself wondering why we haven’t had this matchup sooner.
Even though the Flyers and Penguins have faced each other outdoors since 2008, their first roofless meeting was in 2017 at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field (which is now known as Acrisure Stadium—certainly not my favorite name). They also met for a game at Lincoln Financial Field in 2019.
Since the teams have each won their home games, a tiebreaker could become necessary, and Beaver Stadium would be an ideal spot for it.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman noted that the league is keen on holding such a game in State College, given the excitement surrounding this rivalry. He mentioned their past discussions, saying, “It’s something I’d like to pursue, but it’s been put off due to renovations. Still, I envision it happening at some stage.”
Time, however, is of the essence. With questions about how many more years Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has ahead of him, they’ll want to solidify this opportunity soon.
Thankfully, hockey has already proven it can thrive at Beaver Stadium, as both the men’s and women’s Penn State teams hosted outdoor games this season. The men’s game attracted 75,000 fans, and projections suggest attendance could exceed 100,000 with renovations complete.
