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NHL on NBCSN: Streaking Flyers host Blackhawks

Philadelphia Flyers v Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 11: of the Chicago Blackhawks of the Philadelphia Flyers at the United Center on December 11, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Flyers 7-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Jonathan Daniel

NBCSN continues its coverage of the 2013-14 campaign tonight when the Philadelphia Flyers host the Chicago Blackhawks at Wells Fargo Center at 7:30 p.m. ET. In addition to NBCSN, you can also watch the game online.

When you consider how tight the playoff race in the Eastern Conference is, you’d probably never know how well the Flyers are playing of late.

Philly heads into Tuesday’s battle against Chicago winners of the past two games and nine of the past 12. You would think that kind of run would put some distance between them and the rest of the bunch in the Metropolitan Division but you’d be wrong. The Flyers sit in second place behind Pittsburgh just one point ahead of both the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets and three points ahead of the Washington Capitals.

Just think of where they’d be if they hadn’t been on a roll.

Leading the way of late for the Flyers is captain Claude Giroux. Over his past seven games, Giroux has four goals and 12 points and he along with his linemate Jakub Voracek (3-6-9 over the past seven games) have turned into a solid scoring duo. Add in Wayne Simmonds’ power play scoring prowess (12 on the man advantage this season) and the Flyers offense is one to be wary of.

There’s a flipside to every coin, however, and the offense has had to be strong to help pick up Steve Mason. In his past 13 games, Mason has three shutouts (that’s good!) but also allowed 30 goals (that’s bad!).

After his hot start to the season, it’s been a little Jekyll and Hyde-ish for Mason, but more often than not the offense has picked him up. It’s a good thing to have help like that, but makes the prospect of heading into the postseason a bit daunting.

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The Blackhawks haven’t exactly been a house of fire lately. Since returning from Sochi, they’re 4-4-0 and while that’s OK, they’ve been jumped in the standings by both the Blues and Avalanche.

Chicago Blackhawks v Los Angeles Kings

during the NHL game at Staples Center on February 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The Blackhawks defeated the Kings 5-3.

Victor Decolongon

Seeing Chicago sitting in third place in the Central Division seems weird, but it’s not like they’re in a bad place. With 92 points they’re one back of Colorado and light years ahead of the wild card (12 points to be exact). They’re basically in a battle with the Avs for home ice in the first round as the Blues are nine points ahead of them.

With that kind of setup, you can’t really blame the Blackhawks for being so blasé of late. Don’t tell Jonathan Toews that, however, as he’s got eight goals in the past seven games and has scored in two straight games. Marian Hossa’s return against Detroit on Sunday provided a lift to the offense that had just scored two goals in each of the previous three games.

It’s hard to find real faults for what the Blackhawks are doing. If nothing else, they’re still lacking a spark at center on the second line, but even with that Patrick Kane has five points in the past seven games.

Like last night’s game between the Wild and the Bruins, this one is a measuring stick for the Flyers against the Blackhawks. Winning nine of the past 12 is nice and all, but they’ll see how they really stack up against a definitive playoff team.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT