Penguins Stun Flyers 4-2 In Philly

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jan 13, 11:14 PM | Hype this story!
Pittsburgh Penguins
1 2 3 OT SO Tot.
1 3 0 - - 4
 
Philadelphia Flyers
Tot. 1 2 3 OT SO
2 1 0 1 - -
 
Summary
Change was needed, and change is what the Pittsburgh Penguins gave the fans.

No, Michel Therrien and his staff were not fired.  A blockbuster trade was not pulled off to bring in a scoring winger did not happen.  And there wasn’t even a minor trade to shake things up.

Instead, the Penguins changed their system, which was accompanied by a change in their lines.

The result was a change in their…well…result.

In improbable fashion, after winning just two of their last 10 games, the Penguins marched into the Wachovia Center, handled the Philadelphia Flyers, and walked out with two points.

It was the first time in eight games the Flyers lost at home, and the first time in 14 games they failed to earn a point on their own ice.

To earn the much-needed victory — both in terms of standings points and team morale — the Penguins reverted to their roots: the 1-2-2 system.  By shifting their focus to a tightened defensive game, they were able to capitalize on turnovers and use crisp outlet passes to transition the game to offense.

But it was the big two who were the difference makers.  Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin teamed up with Matt Cooke to form a dominant first line, which was responsible for two of the team’s goals, one by Malkin and one by Cooke.  Both were set up by Crosby.  Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy tallied goals of their own.

The night was capped off with a few fights, as Eric Godard tangled with Riley Cote and Paul Bissonnette sqaured up with Arron Asham.

Next up: Washington tomorrow.
 
Three Stars
# Player Team Pos. Stats
1 Staal Pit C 1 goal
2 Crosby Pit C 2 assists
3 Letang Pit D 1 assist
 
Stat Line
  Shots Faceoffs Power Plays
  1 2 3 OT Total Won Lost Convert Total
Penguins 11 11 4 - 26 31 29 0 4
Flyers 7 8 14 - 29 29 31 0 1
 
Scoring Summary
Per. Time Team Goal Assist 1 Assist 2
1 7:36
16:47		 Phi
Pit		 Knuble, 16
Kennedy, 7		 Gagne
Talbot		 Timonen
Bissonnette
2 1:42
12:25
19:34		 Pit
Pit
Pit		 Malkin, 17
Staal, 14
Cooke, 5		 Crosby
Satan
Crosby
Letang
Orpik
3 8:07 Phi Lupul, 14 Hartnell Carter
OT - - - - -
 
Penalty Summary
Per. Time Team Player Penalty
1 9:44
9:44
11:48
16:52
16:52		 Phi
Pit
Pit
Phi
Pit		 Cote
Godard
Satan
Asham
Bissonnette		 Fighting – 5:00
Fighting – 5:00
Hooking – 2:00
Fighting – 5:00
Fighting – 5:00
2 6:41
8:21
8:21		 Phi
Pit
Phi		 Alberts
Malkin
Hartnell		 Holding – 2:00
Hooking – 2:00
Diving – 2:00
3 13:30
16:42
18:30		 Phi
Phi
Phi		 Bench (Upshall)
Vaananen
Hartnell		 Too many men on the ice – 2:00
Cross checking – 2:00
Slashing – 2:00
OT - - - -

Comments

  1. TheOneAndOnlySurge

    Jan 14, 01:07 AM

    This was a fun game to watch as the Pens seemed to actually sustain pressure and prevent just that in their own end. Fleury didn’t have to be brilliant because he didn’t face too many quality chances. Satan seemed to have a little life and if he would continue down that path, the Pens could return to dominant form from last season. Now this is only one game, they need to follow up this positive with another outstanding performance against another extremely tough Caps team.

  2. DaBich

    Jan 14, 06:26 AM

    Terrific effort, great win, entertaining game.
    Give Cooke some love, he played well with the two big guys.

  3. Shlim

    Jan 14, 09:15 AM

    If Cooke will keep going to the net and giving that 1000000% he gave last night, that line will put up big numbers.

    Let’s not forget he should have had an assist, if Crosby would have buried that excellent pass that Cooke sent him into the wide-open cage!

  4. Pens1967

    Jan 14, 11:06 AM

    I’d bet dollars to donuts that Therrien finally told the team, “We tried it your way (rely on talent and not hard work). It didn’t work and now we’re going back to doing things my way”.

    I’m just curious, though, if anyone else is bothered by the fact that Sid can’t seem to make whoever he is playing with better? It seems like every time Sid struggles, it’s Malkin who has to be moved to get him going. I’m not trying to knock Crosby because obviously he’s a superb player, but he’s a different kind of player than Malkin. To me, Malkin has more natural talent – like Lemieux and Jagr. Crosby has to work hard all the time to maintain his level of excellence – more like Ron Francis and Bobby Clarke.
    I think if the Pens’ mgmt recognized that, there would be a lot less trouble finding the right wingers for each player.

  5. jay s

    Jan 14, 12:34 PM

    Pittsburgh coming off a big win and the Craps coming off a loss…watch out.

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