The Pittsburgh Penguins did, indeed, outclass the Philadelphia Flyers. They outclassed them both in outcome of the game and how they played the game. This game did live up to the hype. It was played by two teams that seem to really dislike each other. There was a lot of hitting. Many of those hits were of the bone-jarring variety. There was a good bit of action, big saves, bad turnovers, shots off posts and lots of penalties.
The Pens apparently picked up where they left off in the conference finals last year. They outplayed Philly for most of the game. The Pens seemed to dictate play for virtually the entire game. There was a stretch in latter part of the second period where the Flyers showed some life. Our boys were able to weather the storm and maintain their lead. After it seemed that Flyers were effectively done, they seemed to take the “cheap shots” to a higher level. Scott Hartnell certainly lived up to his reputation as a cheap shot artist. I have a hard time remembering so many flagrant cheap shots in a game. (though, I am sure it was the Flyers the last time) The Flyers ended the game with three men in the penalty box, which seemed somehow poetic.
Both Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby ended up with a goal and an assist. It was good to see the big guns on the scoresheet. Tyler Kennedy keeping up with his great play added a goal and, as it has been more common under Bylsma, Mark Eaton added a goal to make the final score 4-1.
It was an entertaining game to watch. I am looking forward to Friday night.
Note:
- Though it did seem like the Pens dictated play virtually the whole game, three of our goals were a bit fluky. Crosby’s goal off his foot, TK’s goal on a misfire, and Eaton’s goal off an opposing players stick. In the meantime, the Flyers hit the post three times. It could have gone a much different direction.
- Will Bylsma dress Eric Godard for game two? It seems that the Flyers were sending a message with some of the liberties they were taking. More toughness in the lineup could be the right thing to do.
- The Pens power play has got to be better. If the Flyers continue to take stupid penalties, Pittsburgh needs to make them pay. Going 1 for 9 on the power play is not going to deter anyone.
- The third line was awesome once again!
Let’s do it again boys!
As read on the Flyers Blogs and Boards….
We knew the Penguins would get all the calls….They actually believe that Hartnall was innocent….
Other than Interference calls (which are much like offense line holding in Football, meaning they can be called at any time)…..I thought that the refs called a good game. They missed the (4 minute) high stick on Cooke, but I also saw two holdings on Gill and one on Eaton in the second period when the Flyers had some life that were not called….
The Flyers, their coaches, their ownership, and their Fans need to understand that the have spent nearly a half Century playing a style of game that is no longer acceptable in the leauge….and the longer that they continue to play this way, the more they will pay for it in the “BIG” games.
I think dressing Eric would be a good idea, for protection but if the Pen’s keep playing the same way, not taking stupid penalties this series is over in 4
The “class” of the Flyer organization was seen in Stevens put Danny ‘physcho’ Carcillo out there on the last face-off with Talbot. And he buttends Talbot in the face. No call. I’ve seen Flyer fans call-out the Pens sitting Crosby when the game was out of reached but last night showed why that’s done. It’s goon hockey all the way and the Flyers are still living in the 70’s. Right where they belong.
Last year all we heard was no Gagne, no Coburn, no Timonen. Well, we are one game in and even though Gagne did get pretty much an EN . . . Gagne shows no physicalness and both Coburn and Timonen look like 3rd pairing defensemen. Very poor first game outing by the FLY$. Surely it has them going back tothe drawing boards. LUV IT.
There is nothing like a Pens/FLY$ game and “outclass” was a perfect choice of words, Reg.
Those Little maggots went into a routine that sometimes you’d swear has something to do with Bobby Clarke DNA being implanted. Taking Adam Grave type of wrist slashes, elbows to the head, a shot with the stick to the face… many not called. There’s 4 freaking officials and they pick up nonsense penalties and miss ones that Helen Keller would get.
Parent, Jones, and Timonen didn’t look too into it… maybe they are injured. When you combine that with Captain Richards who fell asleep in the face off circle and Hartnell’s typical brain cramps and see player’s such as Alberts, Asham, Carcillo, Ross, and the major multi-million dollar brain cramp by GM Paul Holmgren (Briere)… these folks look to be in a lot of trouble. Yet, this is the playoffs and sometimes things do turn on a dime.
Personally, Reg… I don’t think I’d dress Godard for Friday’s game. Maybe Disco Dan will think otherwise… as Carcillo is about due for his meltdown.. and can Cote be that far behind him. Did I ever say that I hate those friggin maggots.
What an exciting game. The Flyers did have a lot of shots hit the post, but the Penguins also had some scoring opportunities that could of easily given them more points. Nice to see that we got scoring from the 3rd line and Eaton, since the Philly media keeps harping on their depth, or in yesterday’s case, lack there of… Will the Flyers hit and take cheap shots in game two? Or was it just them sending a message since the game was out of reach? I personally think they will play hard, but not take all those penalties if they want to start winning games.
GO PENS! Can I change my Pens in 6 prediction from below? LOL
First off, I`d like to add that Crosby`s goal wasn`t off his skate, his stick blade did direct the puck in with some help of course from “Mr. Goalie” himself, Marty Biron. That`s what you get from going to the net. Sid`s no doubt a real big time player, he made that goal happen. Malkin`s goal was pretty neat, as he stoled the puck then got it back in the Fly`s end and scored on the backhander while “Mr. Goaltender” Biron was winding his watch. The Pens were more physical that the Fly`s goons tonight. They were more disciplined and we have a real playoff goalie on our side. Looking forward to Friday night, anxious to see what Coach Stevens figures out because the goonery didn`t intimidate the Pens. Last but not least, it was good to see the Kids Commissioner at the game. He was quoted as saying something like, the Penguins are the best example of a NHL organization. Like we didn`t know that.
I like the “Pens Outclass Flyers” right under the Pooping Penguin – That’s priceless! If I had the time I would make a tape of all the cheap shots that the Flyers took and post it on YouTube – if only I had the time!