Pens Outclass Flyers

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!