Penguins-Flyers: Why Philly Can't Stop Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby

As former SportsCenter anchor Dan Patrick used to say "you can't stop him, you can only hope to contain him."  For the Philadelphia Flyers no saying better suits their current situation.  The problem is the Flyers don't know who to classify as "him", Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby.

In Crosby and Malkin, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been blessed with arguably the best two players in the NHL.  Each has established themselves as elite superstar centers capable of carrying a team to the next level.  But what makes these two even more of a dangerous combination is not just their talent, but their style of play.

Since coming into the NHL as one of the most hyped prospects of all time, Sidney Crosby has dominated the league.  At 20 years old, "Sid The Kid" has already established himself as one of the greatest players of all time.  Why?  It's not just about talent, but determination.  When Crosby wants to score, he will score. 

And as one of the games top finesse players, Crosby will not only get around you, but make you look foolish at the same time.  Look at any Sidney highlights and you will see him embarrass multiple defenders on a single rush.  His quick hands make him tough to handle up close and strong legs help him battle through a check. 

At 6 foot 3, 195 pounds, Evgeni Malkin can do it all, and can do it hard.  While he has finesse, Malkin plays much more of a power game.  Nothing proved this more than his short handed goal in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals.  Malkin had morethan enough time to deke goaltender Martin Biron of the Philadelphia Flyers.  Instead, the 21 year old decided to blast his powerful slap shot past the over matched goalie.

Watching Malkin is like watching a bull on ice skates.  If Cam Neely played today, he would look something like Malkin.

What makes Crosby a bit easier to defend is that he can be stopped by a body check, if you can catch him.  Try and play physical defense in front of Malkin, and as Derian Hatcher has already found out, he will go through you.

It's this combination of style that makes both Malkin and Crosby so difficult to defend.  I can't remember a one-two punch this good, with such a varying degree of style.  Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg might have been the closest, and even they were not up to the level of Crosby and Malkin.

Add in the loss of Kimmo Timonen, the Flyers top skating defenseman. Now Derian Hatcher and Jason Smith, both slower defensemen, will have the job of trying to shut down either, or both of these two superstars.  Makes you wonder if the Flyers can even hope to contain them.