Pens/Flyers Game 1 Grades
Mike Adams | Report Cards
Apr 16, 12:20 PM | Hype this story!
Pens, off and running
Flyers goon it up
Pens play like this, they won’t lose
So, go home Flyers
Offense: A
They were absolutely flying. They put 27 even strength shots on Martin “Not Brodeur But” Biron and beat him three times. They forechecked the Flyers into submission, and threw in some odd-man breaks to boot.
Defense: A
They were tremendous defensively. They rarely gave the Flyers any good looks.
Yeo Play: B
Overall, they looked pretty awful. But I often downgrade them for not scoring big goals at big times. Well, this game was the opposite. They scored the first goal of the series after a stupid Aron Asham penalty. Nothing could be more opportune. Sid just took it to the net and they hammered away until it went in. After that, nothing much went right. They struggled to gain the zone and when they did, they got few chances on Biron.
Penalty Kill: B
They allowed a late, rather lucky power play goal. But overall, they seemed to have things well under control.
Goaltending: B
Fleury was helped by a couple goal posts. My only quibble with him was his rebound control. I’m sure the Flyers noticed too, and will try to exploit this as the series goes on. He’s going to have to improve in this area. Other than that, he was very solid and seemed pretty calm back there.
Overall: A
I’m not sure they could play a much better game. They were clicking on all cylinders. They were hitting everything in white. They skated hard for 60 minutes. They got the crowd revved up early. Couldn’t ask for anything more.
And now, the rest of the story…
Sid: A
Wow, he was just flying out there, and he got that key first goal. He didn’t allow any Flyer trash talking to distract him.
Geno: C
He scored a gift goal, but was otherwise pretty invisible. He needs to pick it up.
Jordan Staal: A
He was a monster out there. He led all Penguin forwards in ice time, and for good reason. He was a force. Oh, he also won 11 of 14 draws. Talk about a great third line center!
Chris Kunitz: A
He set the tone on the first shift when he plastered Kimmo “Bobby Orr” Timonen. The great one went limping off and was a non-factor the rest of the night. The bad thing is Kunitz might have given the Flyers their excuse for losing this year’s series.
Depth: A
Every Penguin except Craig Adams (9:34) got at least 10 minutes of ice time. It helps that they were ahead the whole way, but Coach B. was able to roll four lines all night. That helps as the series and postseason wear on.
Petr Sykora: I
I, as in invisible. How long before Satan gets a chance?
Bill Guerin: A
He had enough of the Flyer goonery and went after Braydon Coburn. Now, THAT’S leadership.
Tyler Kennedy…Kennedy: A
What patience he showed on the 3-on-1 to pot his first playoff goal. Again, when you get the third line chipping in like that, you will be a tough team to beat.
Ice Dancing: F
I hate it in the Olympics. But I have to admit that Danny Briere and Simon Gagne would make a nice pair. Their dancing last night was a thing of beauty. Too bad it doesn’t work in the playoffs.
The Drunk That Can’t Skate: A
That was the best game I ever saw him play. True to form, he sounded half sloshed or totally stupid in the interview Versus had with him.
Icehole of the Game
Where to start? Scott Fartsmell makes the list for a dirty trip on Kris Letang. Apparently, Daniel Carcillo has a hearing today for something he did or said to Max Talbot. Then we had Fartsmell and Andrew Alberts ganging up on Matt Cooke. Then we saw Fartsmell pick up a misconduct at the end. So the winner is Scott Fartsmell.
Striped Buffoon Huh? Call of the Game
Early on, it looked like the entire crew was under the employ of Ed Snider. One of the linesmen tackled Gill as he was coming back into his own end, leading to sustained Flyer pressure. But they’re just part of the ice, right? Then Matt Carle high sticks Cooke right in front of Blind Massenhoven. Cooke is bleeding through his nose, but Blind Massenhoven can’t figure out how it happened.
Free Candy
Brooks just plastered Fartsmell into the boards at the end of the first period.
Monk Moment
Mark Eaton scored a goal and made an incredible play to break up a 2-on-1. Had he gotten an assist, I would call it a Bobby Orr hat trick.
A guide to the game grades can be found here.
Comments
DaBich
Apr 16, 12:41 PM
It will only get worse, you know. And when we to to Philly to play it will be worst.
Bring it on! Our boys can handle it.
I do believe Carcillo took his elbow to Max. Cheap shot too. Wuss.
Bill
Apr 16, 12:54 PM
Carcillo hit Talbot with the butt end of his stick on the last face off of the game.
Nathan
Apr 16, 12:57 PM
Who is The Drunk That Can’t Skate?
Mike Adams
Apr 16, 01:12 PM
@ Nathan,
Derian Hatcher. He was called that way back when by the late Herb Brooks.
Banger
Apr 16, 01:26 PM
Danny Briere may be the softest, most overpaid player in the league. I can’t believe a goon squad like the Flyers signed him. I bet they wished they had Drury instead.
Scott Hartnell seems like he has his own personal agenda out there. He does nothing to help his team.
I am glad that Max took the high road at the end of the game despite being punched in the face during that last faceoff. It showed class that he didn’t have to stoop down to the Flyers level. Max probably realized that Billy G had just dropped the gloves prior to that faceoff to show the Flyers that they won’t take any more of their crap. Like they say, I’m sure Max wrote down that plate number for future reference.
Finally, John Stevens is a nerd boss. That is all.
TIM
Apr 16, 02:20 PM
I loved the way the Pens played physically pretty much all game. Like the broadcasters said they were really finishing their checks. The D played pretty outstanding and totally deserve the A. I thought the first 2-3 power plays showed a lot of life, but the last few were ugly as sin. I loved watching Billy Guerin be a leader out there and throw down. The crap the Flyers tired to pull late in the game was not hockey. Pens look like they still have room to improve, which is a good thing.
Let’s Go Pens!
fdeuce
Apr 16, 03:07 PM
nice to see the game grades back! im annoyed the flyers stooped to such a level of goonery last night.
DigitalGypsy66
Apr 16, 04:59 PM
Thanks Mike!
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