Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty is keeping a diary for NHL.com this weekend for the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, which will feature the Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBC, SN360, SN1, TVAS2). In his second entry, Gritty writes about the difference between cupcakes and muffins, the Flyers family skate and getting ready for the big game.

February 23, 2019

Dear Diary,

Today is the big day. We made it. We haven't slept for months and I, for one, have reached the peak of my training. The countdown to puck drop is now in mere hours and I am FREAKING OUT.

But first, yesterday update. Pretty decent. I was at the football ice field and I made my way 'round all the seats to personally warm each one up for my people. I have my routes mapped out, I have good sight lines of Claude, I know where the treasure is buried.

You know what I was thinking yesterday while I was out there, getting my mind right? Are muffins and cupcakes the same thing? Is icing the only difference? Is a cupcake just a dressed up muffin?

I was abruptly interrupted in my thoughting, though. I saw, no joke, the LARGEST hot dog…on wheels. Upon closer review, it was, in fact, a mobile hot dog machine. How many hot dogs are in there? Where did it come from? Can I keep it? Does its size change people's opinions on whether it is a sandwich or not? I did ask the giant frank if he'd be around today. The answer is yes. XL-sized frankfurter will be there for all of you to enjoy. Talk about a pre-game celebration.

Anyway, I did some socializing, too. Super Olympian Monique Lamoureux almost let me take her gold chain home. We're pals now. It also got me thinking, I need to get back on my 2020 speed walking training regimen.

This Flyers gig has really delayed my progress, but I am an athlete. Committed to all my crafts. I can make it around the concourse in -2 minutes, flat, without a single blink.

I also went to a party and met Flyers urban myth Eric Lindros. He. Is. Amazing. Just an all-around gritty guy…and now a Gritty guy.

The boys had a big, fun skate with their families, too. I saw mini Brian Elliott and mini Raffl and all the mini Flyers there are. Then I had my big rehearsal and I do believe that, in fact, I am as ready as I have ever been.

I can't wait to see you all tomorrow. Bells on. Orange oozing from your skin.

I have reached my final day without sleep, and last thing on the training schedule: a 17-minute nap to provide optimal game-day energy levels. Need at least one REM for this fur to really shine.

See you at 8 p.m., my ppl. Be louder than you've ever been. The football ice field is farther away than it may appear and the boys need the decibels at record highs.

Stay Gritty.

[RELATED: Thursday's Stadium Series Diary: Gritty]