Pens win 4-2; Lead Series 2-0

Jonathan Farzalo | Pittsburgh Penguins

May 11, 09:53 PM | Hype this story!
1 2 3 Tot.
0 2 0 2
 
Tot. 1 2 3
4 1 1 2
 
Series: Penguins (2) – Flyers (0)
 
Summary

The Pittsburgh Penguins extended their series lead 2-0 with goals from Sidney Crosby, Marian Hossa, Max Talbot, and Jordan Staal.  The Flyers brought a much better game to Mellon Arena Sunday Night, but it was not enough to stifle a determined and skilled Penguins team.

The first period began with the loss of the Flyers best (remaining) defender, when Braydon Coburn took a puck to the face and did not return.  This left Philadelphia stretched a little thin on the blue line.  For most of the night, it did not seem to hamper them as much as one might think, but towards the end of the game, especially on the game winner by Talbot, the extra ice time was a factor.

The first period was a pretty even affair, with both teams playing it close knit, Pittsburgh went to the locker-room with a 1-0 lead thanks to a power play goal by Sidney Crosby, and an unlucky break for a Philadelphia defender.  Crosby should have had a second goal later in the evening, but it was ruled "inconclusive" in the replay.

The Flyers stormed back in the 2nd, taking a more desperate approach and earning a power play tally of their own.  Jeff Carter took a great pass from Lupul and wasted no time putting the puck behind Marc-Andre Fleury to tie it up.  It wasn’t until Marian Hossa found a rebound on a power play chance that the Penguins were able to regain the lead.  It looked as if Pittsburgh would take that lead to intermission, being on the power play with less than a minute to go; however a poor decision/play by Evgeni Malkin at the blue line lead to a breakaway shorthanded goal by Mike Richards, once again deadlocking the score.

In the third, the Penguins fourth line was out on the ice, working hard, and forcing the Flyers into making mistakes.  Finally one cost them.  Pressure along the boards forced Philly into a turnover that led to a shot that sailed wide by Georges Laraque.  Roberts scooped up the puck and shoveled it to the front of the net, right on Talbot’s stick, and buried it, the game-winner.

Jordan Staal added an empty-netter to seal the deal and give the Penguins the 4-2 victory.

 
Three Stars
# Player Team Pos. Stats
1 Sidney Crosby PIT C 1 Goal, 1 Assist
2 Max Talbot PIT C 1 Goal
3 Mike Richards PHI C 1 Goal
 
Stat Line
  Shots Faceoffs Power Plays
  1 2 3 OT Total Won Lost Converted Total
Pittsburgh 9 16 13 - 38 31 41 2 6
Philadelphia 9 13 10 - 32 41 31 1 3
 
Scoring Summary
Per. Time Team Goal Assist Assist
1 10:48 PIT Sidney Crosby Gonchar
2 05:46
13:43
19:36		 PHI
PIT
PHI		 Jeff Carter
Marian Hossa
Mike Richards		 Lupul
Malone
– 		Modry
Gonchar
3 08:51
19:31		 PIT
PIT		 Max Talbot
Jordan Staal		 Roberts
Crosby		 Laraque
Gonchar
 
Penalty Summary
Per.
Team Penalty Time Player
1
 Pittsburgh fighting – 5 min 3:49, T. Kennedy
 Philadelphia fighting – 5 min 3:49, S. Upshall
 Pittsburgh roughing – 2 min 4:22, G. Laraque
 Philadelphia tripping – 2 min 8:44, J. Carter
 Philadelphia cross check – 2 min 10:40, M. Knuble
 Pittsburgh hooking – 2 min 15:32, P. Dupuis
 Philadelphia interference – 2 min 15:32, J. Smith
 Philadelphia holding – 2 min 18:35, S. Upshall
2
 Pittsburgh holding – 2 min 2:38, M. Hossa
 Pittsburgh interference – 2 min 4:58, P. Dupuis
 Philadelphia hooking – 2 min 13:34, D. Hatcher
 Philadelphia cross check – 2 min 18:17, D. Hatcher
 Philadelphia roughing – 2 min 18:17, S. Hartnell
 Pittsburgh unsports. conduct – 2 min 18:17, J. Ruutu
3
 Philadelphia interfer w/ goalie- 2 min 1:52, D. Briere
 Philadelphia roughing – 2 min 5:21, M. Biron
 Pittsburgh diving – 2 min 5:21, J. Ruutu

Comments

  1. TIM

    May 12, 03:17 AM

    This is feeling similar to the Rangers in series in that the Pens are taking everything the opposing team can throw at them, and they are giving it back 2 fold. They are just a talented team who is on fire. Hats off to TK for not taking any crap and doing a great job in a scrap. Let’s Go Pens!

  2. DaBich

    May 12, 05:52 AM

    Tim, I’m with you on TK dishing it back to Upshall. And he did a good job in the fight!
    Crosby’s “no-goal” was a horrid call. It was plain to see the puck was over the line.
    We won in the end, but man, if the game had gone the other way, that would have really sucked.

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    May 12, 08:50 AM

    Tim, take a moment and think about this: the Penguins are 10-1 in the playoffs and have won 15 straight at home. Unreal, isn’t it? I was watching the game with my fiance — Dabich’s daughter — and she said to me, “It’s amazing how much they have changed in the playoffs.” And by that, she meant how they have just ratcheted up the intensity, the patience, and the confidence. They’re not necessarily playing differently — just doing what they had done in the past at a much higher level.

    As for TK, a very underrated aspect of that fight is that TK took Upshall off the ice for five minutes. Upshall has been one of the Flyers’ better scorers throughout the playoffs, and anytime someone like that is in the box for five, it’s a good thing. Kudos to Kennedy, who just seems to have that playoff intensity naturally.

    Dabich, I won’t call the no-goal a horrible call. the rulebook says there has to be conclusive evidence to overturn the call made on the ice. While it would be hard to argue the puck didn’t go over the line, it also would be quite difficult to say that there was proof it did. In other words, I think it was a goal, but I can understand why it was called the way it was. The puck was on edge for a while, then when it appeared to be going over the line, Biron got his glove over it to hinder the view. I can’t argue the call, though I truly believe it was a goal.

  4. DaBich

    May 12, 09:01 AM

    Well, Matt, when the play was showed from BEHIND Biron, there was NO DOUBT the puck was over the line. It was clear as day. Sorry, I have to disagree.
    What are you getting into with Rhiana and I? lol! Poor Matt ;)

    Can’t wait for Tuesday night’s game. These guys are thrilling to watch!

  5. Tom

    May 12, 05:25 PM

    Jonathon, This is hopefully my swan song in grading games in Mike Adams’ absence. Here goes:

    The Pens seemed to lack the desperation they had in the first game; however, they played a credible game against a defenseless opponent.

    Offense B+: Four (really 5) goals by four players. No really stunning plays and a lack of fire and firepower. Crosby and Hossa carried the load and Talbot’s goal was pure effort on the part of BGL , Roberts and Talbot. The Flyers were more consistent in their efforts to disrupt the Pens’ puck movement and cycling.

    Defense A: No even strength goals. Each pairing worked well and consistently denied the Fleas any great opportunities. Letang and Whitney have still not given up a goal during this series. They are hitting and moving the puck. I shall address the Genius’ asinine reason for pairing them directly. After the Talbot goal the neutral zone trap all but eliminated any Flea offense.

    PP B: Why a “B” when they converted 2 of six chances? Because they gave up a stupid shorty due to a horrible pass and not having any fast or aggressive defensemen on ice. Letang would have caught Richards if he were paired with Gonchar rather than playing only one defenseman, and one that is hardly likely to defeat the breakout and score. I noted this earlier, but Matt thought that it was foolish to be concerned about shorties. LOL.

    PK D: Giving up one goal in three chances is abysmal. Gill and Scuderi, the Fleas’ favorite victims were their own slow selves. The Pens really need Letang’s speed and quick hands and stick as well as physical play on the PK. Sorry to sound like a broken record.

    Goaltending B+: Flower could easily have stopped Richard’s shorty. It wasn’t even a good penalty or shootout shot. The entire team seemed to play in slow motion on the Carter goal. Quite a mental or emotional lapse for the PK.

    Overall B: A lackluster performance against a defenseless opponent. Hatcher, Smith and Jones, old, old and inept (and they are the best defenders the Fleas have left). The Pens finally wore them down and prevented any meaningful Flea offense originating back in the Fleas’ defensive zone. The loss of Coburn was huge. It left the Fleas without a competent defenseman.

    Individuals:

    Malkin C: He did a good bit of hitting and one great shot; however his line contributed little other than keeping the puck in the Fleas’ end. His pass than led to the shorty and failure to get back in time from the point to defend against Richard’s breakout demonstrates the absurdity of the PP plan now in place.

    Crosby A+: He was everywhere. Nice goal, good puck movement and a energized backcheck. He is truly the most skilled player in the NHL when he really wants to be.

    Genius C: His idiotic statement that he paired Whitney with Letang to make both realize their defensive responsibilities galls this writer. Letang has been an exemplary defender all season long. He has foregone his outstanding offensive talent in order to protect the goal in his end. He was and is the Pens’ best defensive defenseman. Whitney was struggling. The pairing lessened Whitney’s area of responsibility due to Letang’s speed and aggressiveness. Thus, the pairing works (just as the pairing of Letang with the slow Gill worked). The genius’ manning of the PP is also vulnerable to shorties for obvious reasons. The only defender the Pens have who can defend against this type of breakout is Letang due to his skating speed and quickness, not to mention his excellent right hand shot from the blueline.

    Orpik A+: He handled Little Debbie Briere in the appropriate manner. Little Debbie doesn’t want the puck anymore. Orpik dishes it out to other “tough” Fleas as well.

    Letang A+: This kid is playing tough, flawless hockey. He is, without doubt, the Pens’ best defender. He now qualifies as an elite player even though he is a rookie (another management mistake). Compare this kid’s skills with any other player on the team. Be realistic. You will see that he has raw skills equal to or greater than any other.

    Whitney A: Another fine game paired with Letang. The pairing seems to have brought out his latent potential. His defensive play is no longer a liability.

    Little Debbie F: “Whaaa, don’t check me anymore Brooks!! Please.”

    Lupul F: Where are you, Joffrey?

    Prospal F: Where are you, Vaclay?

    Downie F: Thanks.

    Mike Adams Missing: Please return and save the readers from reading my twaddle.

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