Skip to main content

Pens' chase for the Cup starts with a bang

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a mad dash at the end of the season to grab the No. 4 seed in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

After Wednesday's thrashing of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their best-of-seven showdown, the Penguins are showing no signs of slowing down.

Sidney Crosby and Evegni Malkin each scored a goal and assisted on one, and Marc-Andre Fluery was solid in goal in the team's 4-1 win that wasn't even that close.

Pittsburgh improved to 19-3-4 under interim coach Dan Bylsma.

The Pens dominated for most of the game and the Flyers tried to get dirty at the end to send a message. They finished the game with three players in the penalty box.

"We know that's their style. That's how they play," Fleury said after the game. "But it's nice to see how the guys handled it with no problem and just moved on."

The Pens' message was better. They'll move on to Game 2 Friday night.

Expect the Flyers to come out with something to prove. Just expect the Penguins to be able to answer it.
Labels:

Comments

  1. manos, the hands of fateApril 16, 2009 at 5:41 PM

    The team Pittsburgh has to really worry about in the East is the Rangers. They have the best goaltender in the world and a dangerous power play. I would be surprised if Philly puts up much of a fight in this series.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Don't compare the Steelers to last year's playoff team

Embed from Getty Images I'm already hearing talk about this year's playoff is unfolding like last year. You know how that went: The Steelers lost their starting running back in Week 17, then lost in the wild-card round against a divisional opponent. This year, DeAngelo Williams was injured in Week 17. And the Steelers face a divisional opponent -- the Bengals. That's where it stops. Williams has a sprained ankle, and is considered day-to-day. They also face an opponent that has a rich history -- of losing in the postseason. That's not to suggest that this game is a gimmie and the Steelers should book a trip to Denver. This will present it's share of challenges, namely A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert. The Steelers will need to slow them down, no matter who's throwing the ball. But, if A.J. McCarron is behind center, that should be in favor of the Steelers -- also something different from a year ago.
Post a Comment
Read more

Time for someone to suspend Roethlisberger

I hate prepared statements. Any time I see an athlete read from a prepared statement, I doubt their sincerity. Anyone can read from a piece of paper. Anyone can rehearse and deliver a speech written by someone else. I can't help but think that was the case Monday when Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger delivered his short words. Can't an athlete speak from the heart these days? I know, I know, there are those worried that an athlete could misspeak, so prepared remarks can keep him on topic. I don't buy it. And I hope the league or the Steelers aren't buying it either. One or both need to suspend Roethlisberger. I'm tired of his antics. I'm sure the Steelers are too. Probably throw in NFL commish Roger Goodell. Maybe the return of sensibility to the Steelers organization won't end with Sunday's trade of Santonio Holmes.
2 comments
Read more

Are the Steelers the team no one wants to face?

Embed from Getty Images There's a label attached to the Steelers this postseason: The team no one wants to face. Don't buy it? Monday Morning QB thinks so . Andy Benoit says an explosive passing game and creative defense makes Pittsburgh the most dangerous team in the AFC. I don't think the Ravens had any problems facing the Steelers two weeks ago. But, hey, the Ravens aren't in the playoffs, right? The problem with the Steelers is the defense. They might be creative, as Benoit suggests, but they're also vulnerable to the big play. The team seems to play up -- or down -- to its competition. So, again, there are no Ravens in the playoffs, so they can't be accused of playing down. However, the Steelers have to like their chances with the Bengals on Saturday. One Vegas line on Sunday night had Pittsburgh as a small favorite. Does that mean the Steelers could play down to Cincy? I'm sure the Steelers will be fired up. And it is the po...
Post a Comment
Read more