Just when the Penguins-Flyers rivalry is hot comes word that Philadelphia is interested in staging an outdoor game between the teams at Penn State's 107,000-seat Beaver Stadium.

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Scouting report

• Matchup: Penguins at New York Rangers, 7:08 p.m. today, Madison Square Garden, New York.
• TV, radio: FSN Pittsburgh, WXDX-FM (105.9).
• Probable goaltenders: Dany Sabourin for Penguins. Henrik Lundqvist for Rangers.
• Penguins: Have won eight of their past 11 games. ... Are 1-1-1 vs. Rangers with six goals scored. ... RW Georges Laraque has at least one point against every team except Rangers.
• Rangers: Have loss five of past six games. ... RW Jaromir Jagr has one point, an assist, in his past six games. ... Lundqvist is among league leaders in wins (15), shutouts (5), goals-against (2.05) and save percentage (.921).
• Hidden stat: Rangers have allowed 75 goals, among the lowest in NHL, but 20 have come in their past four losses.

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Several Philadelphia news outlets have reported that Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren would like to see the game played next season and perhaps annually.

Penguins spokesman Tom McMillan said yesterday that while the club is aware of the reports, talk of a game at the Nittany Lions' football field is premature because "right now we are focusing on the outdoor game in Buffalo."

The Penguins and Sabres are scheduled to play the first outdoor regular-season game in the United States, the Winter Classic, Jan. 1 at the NFL Bills' Ralph Wilson Stadium.

The Penguins and Flyers are not only intrastate and Atlantic Division foes, but they have played some intense games through the years. Last season, the Penguins swept the Flyers in eight games. This season, Philadelphia has won the first three, including a rock-'em, sock-'em, 8-2 game Dec. 11.

Penguins defenseman Ryan Whitney, who was part of a traditional hockey rivalry between his Boston University team and the one from Boston College, likes the idea.

"That would be something pretty special, if you look at the rivalry and all the young guys on both teams who are going to be around for a while," he said.

The Flyers seem all for it.

"I've been up to Penn State for some football games," coach John Stevens told the Philadelphia Daily News. "The atmosphere up there is just unbelievable. It's a great town. It's halfway between Pittsburgh and here. It's an ideal situation. You'd get fans from both teams."

Philadelphia center R.J. Umberger, who is from Plum, agreed.

"Just imagine how intense and fun that would be in an outdoor game," he said. "To play at Penn State there, the fans from Pittsburgh and Philly, it would be insane, probably one of the best games in NHL history."

An NHL spokesman said the league has not discussed the possibility with the Flyers or Penguins. Penn State officials could not be reached.

Penguins coach Michel Therrien declined to say whether recent call-up Ty Conklin might get a start in net with three games in four nights starting tonight against the Rangers in New York. ... Rangers captain and former Penguin Jaromir Jagr had a tooth knocked out Sunday when Phoenix's Fredrik Sjostrom caught him with an elbow. A linesman recovered the tooth. ... There are a limited number of openings for the Penguins Holiday Power Skating Camp Dec. 26-28 at Southpointe and Mellon Arena, featuring instructor Besa Tsintsadze and Penguins assistant Mike Yeo. Visit www.pittsburghpenguins.com for more information. ... Bob Costas will serve as host of the Winter Classic on NBC, and Eddie Olczyk, Mike Emrick and Mike Milbury will call the game.