Most of the experts who picked the Flyers to win the series were banking on their more physical presence and nature to beat the more shifty and finesse Penguins. Boy, the outcome of today's game disproved that prediction (at least for one game). The Pens set the tone early with a Chris Kunitz hit to Kimmo Timonen that obviously rattled and bothered him the entire game. It was the shifty Penguins who was hitting more and making life miserable for everyone wearing orange and white. From Brooks Orpik, to Craig Adams, they were hitting anyone in their vicinity. The first period tally was scored by Sidney Crosby, who in my opinion really needed to make the first true statement to this series. The goal was reviewed but it stood. 1-0 Pens after period one.
The second period proved my notion that Jordan Staal needed to be a presence in not only this series but the entire Stanley Cup run. Though he only had one assist tonight; a 3 on 1 goal by Tyler Kennedy (1st ever playoff goal), he was everywhere! He had countless opportunities to score but just missed, he backchecked, played physical and used his long reach to his advantage. The man should've gotten a star tonight. 2-0 Pens after two.
The third was a tale of the ever popular momentum. The Flyers apparently had gained some back at the end of the second and beginning of the third, but then Mike Richards hit the post and the game stayed at 2. Then a ghastly error by Philly which made things worse that the NHL's scoring leader Evgeni Malkin capitalized on the turnover and made it 3-0. Blowout central was on four minutes later as Mark Eaton of all people scores from the point after a Crosby faceoff win. The whole Kimmo Timonen injury was actually a focal point on that goal. The man just did not look comfortable out there and the puck ended up behind the net. Philly scored a meaningless goal on the power play late, and typical Flyer antics: gooning it up. First Arron Asham and Andrew Alberts start slashing and roughing guys, then Ryan Parent cross-checked Staal to the boards. Then Billy Guerin of the Pens had enough, fighting Braydon Coburn. Oh don't forget, Mr. Ass Scott Hartnell got ejected too. Needless to say it was a tactic that will carry over to Game 2. Hope it didn't phase the Pens one bit. Penguins win 4-1 and lead the best of 7 series 1 to 0.
Plus (+)
*Jordan Staal: Best player on the ice tonight.
*Marc-Andre Fleury: Made some difficult saves routine. Seemed to have his "A" game tonight.
*The grinders (Adams, Dupuis, Talbot, Cooke): Great shifts from them. Matt Cooke was a pest all night. Adams had a hell of a game. Dupuis had some great chances. Talbot was excellent in the PK.
*Sidney Crosby: Nice to see him make the first statement on the scoresheet
Minus (-)
*The Power Play: Needs work. It's to cute. They need to keep it simple. Too predictable.
*Petr Sykora: Where art thou Sykie?
*Hal Gill: Horrible turnover on the Philly goal. You can't give these guys any opportunites.
Good win, but put it behind you! Game 2 is Friday, and its gonna be tougher and more physical. I expect the Flyers to correct their mistakes and try to steal one in Pittsburgh.
We Gotta Ways To Go!
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