Posted on Fri, May. 09, 2008

Stanley Cup eastern conference finalists turned fast

By MILENKO MARTINOVICH

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

The Philadelphia Flyers were the worst team in the NHL last season, mustering only 56 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins were the second-worst team in the NHL two seasons ago, recording 58.

So much for taking time to rebuild. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have engineered two of the more remarkable turnarounds in recent memory and their comebacks have vaulted them into the Eastern Conference finals beginning tonight.

Pittsburgh's return to glory was easier to forecast. The Penguins' dreadful seasons allowed them to draft two of the league's most dynamic players in Evgeni Malkin (second overall pick in 2004) and Sidney Crosby (first overall pick in 2005), who have turned into the league's best 1-2 punch. Malkin and Crosby have guided the Penguins to wins in eight of their nine playoff games this season and are tied for second in playoff scoring (14 points).

Another key performer has been goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2003 draft. He was dazed in his first postseason last year when the Penguins fell to Ottawa. Fleury, who began the postseason with seven consecutive wins, has shown no signs of cracking.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, secured the biggest free-agent acquisition in the off-season, giving center Daniel Briere an eight-year, $52 million contract. Briere has revatilized the Flyers with his leadership. He scored 31 goals in the regular season and is tied with Crosby and Malkin in playoff scoring.

Just as important has been Philadelphia's confidence in its younger players and some shrewd acquisitions via trade and free agency.

Homegrown products Mike Richards and Jeff Carter were third and fifth, respectively, in scoring during the regular season. The Flyers acquired former first-round draft selections R.J. Umberger, Scottie Upshall and Joffrey Lupul as well as veterans Vaclav Prospal, Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell.