The Confluence
Next entry: Penguins Call for “Whiteaht” for Game 5
Previous entry: Penguins need to get back to playing Penguins hockey
Fleury spectacular in 3-1 Penguins win over Flyers
by Tony on 04/21/09 at 09:39 PM ET
Comments (5)
The Penguins did what they needed to do to win a tough road game.
They got back to playing sound defense, and most importantly, got an outstanding performance from Marc-Andre Fleury with 45 saves to give the Penguins a commanding 3-1 series advantage with a 3-1 win over the Flyers tonight at the Wachovia Center.
The Flyers threw everything but the kitchen sink at Fleury, but he made several excellent saves to preserve a Penguins lead until midway through the third period when they finally scored. That would be the only blemish on the scoresheet against him, though.
It didn’t help the Penguins that they gave the Flyers eight powerplay opportunities, but the Pens’ penalty kill was stellar, killing off all eight.
As expected, the Flyers came out strong again. This time, though, the Penguins withstood the barrage. The Flyers had three powerplays in the first period, but it didn’t yield any goals as the game remained scoreless.
The Penguins were able to get the important first goal of the game about three minutes into the game when Chris Kunitz lofted a centering pass towards the net where Sidney Crosby was able to get a stick on it, then the puck deflected off his shoulder and crashed with him into the net. The play was reviewed and the goal was allowed to give the Pens a 1-0 lead.
It only took about four minutes for the Pens to strike again. Matt Cooke corralled a loose puck in the Flyers’ zone and centered it to Tyler Kennedy. Kennedy then made a nice forehand/backhand move to fire a shot past Marty Biron to pad the Penguins’ lead to 2-0.
The Flyers finally got on the board midway through the third period when during a scrum former Penguin farmhand Daniel Carcillo one-timed a loose puck past Fleury to cut the Pens’ lead to 2-1.
But the Penguins’ clamped down for the remainder of the third period, where at the 19:08 mark Max Talbot scored the empty netter to clinch the win.
Other notes:
- Another game, another lousy powerplay effort for the Pens. 0-for-5 again.
- The Flyers had 16 shots solely on the powerplay.
- 20 shots for the Pens tonight, led by Rob Scuderi’s five.
- The Pens obviously did not play the physical game tonight. Only 12 hits awarded to them.
The Penguins can now finish the Flyers off Thursday night back at the Igloo.
Filed in: | The Confluence | Permalink
Tags: NHL-Hockey, Philadelphia+Flyers, Pittsburgh+Penguins,
Comments
I’m ignoring that crap…. It’s just non-stop, from the coaches, to the press, to the fans….
Non-stop whining….
No mention of their vaunted powerplay getting shutout, though…
Posted by Tony F from Virginia Beach, VA on 04/21/09 at 10:31 PM ET
I lived in that joke of a town for 10 years, living as a Pittsburgh sports fan. They can’t accept that they just aren’t good enough. They have inferior goaltending, inferior defensemen, inferior forwards, inferior coaching, inferior front office staff, inferior ownership, and and most importantly inferior fans. Ed Snyder is the problem. He lets the drunkin fools who fill that 20,000 seat barn act like children, and has his orginization do nothing about it. Do you all remember the drunk who crashed into the penalty box with Ty Domi? Where else has that ever happened than in the adult day care center known at the Whaaaachovia Center? They got bounced by the Pens in 5 last year, and it will be in 5 this year. I LOVE IT!
Posted by Flyers Fans = Losers on 04/21/09 at 11:43 PM ET
The Pens need to play more disciplined yet more aggressive in Game 5. Being at home should help. Fleury was outstanding. If he plays like that again on Thursday, the Flyers aren’t winning.
Posted by cs6687 on 04/21/09 at 11:46 PM ET
I don’t agree that the Flyers are inferior in much of those ways. They’re forwards are probably on a whole better than the Pens, (with the obvious exceptions). Timonen’s a very good d-man, but beyond that, they’re average. Biron is average to above average, and last year stole many games the way Fleury just did. In my opinion, they were outplayed in all 3 series last year, even though they won 2.
What I’ll never get, and why I’ve never been able to convert to a Flyers fan the way I have with the Eagles and Phillies, is what the hell goes on in their ownership and management to create such a whiny, woe-is-me persona. Its been consistently like this for as long as I have watched the game. Last night they got many beneficial calls, but they still complain the refs are against them. I’ve argued with friends for years that the complete inability to accept a loss and the constant blame of anyone and everyone else is bad for the team and the game of hockey.
Why did they lose last night? Stellar goaltending by Fluery and a pitiful powerplay by the Flyers. They’re one goal was good hustle by the Flyers but also a pretty lethargic, unispired shift by Malkin, Sykora etc. Tell Stevens that it was Gagne that interfered with Biron if anyone did on Crosby’s goal. They were also lucky he hit the crossbar later in the game or it would have been over sooner.
All that said, the Pens need a much better effort. They are not outplaying the Flyers this year the way they did last year. They were a lucky team last night.
This rivalry is the new Wings-Avs rivalry in the NHL, and its going to be good for years to come.
Posted by dip from philly on 04/22/09 at 09:18 AM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Turn Out The Lights, The Party’s Over: I’m Stepping Down
Bill Cowher’s Daughter to Marry Kevin Westgarth
Penguins Sign Forward Steve MacIntyre
Penguins Re-Sign Forward Dustin Jeffrey to Two-Year Deal
Crosby Donation Leads To Renovation at Children’s Hospital
About Kukla’s Korner
Kukla’s Korner is updated around the clock with the work of our own talented bloggers, plus links to the best hockey writing around the internet. We strive to bring you all the breaking hockey news as it happens.
The home page allows you to see the latest postings from every blog on the site. Subscribe here. For general inquiries and more, please contact us anytime.
Get the top online sports betting bonuses available to sports betters!
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker.
As well as reading about hockey games, you can also find info about poker like which poker sites accept American Express or which are the best Canadian poker sites and also find the top rakeback sites at rakeback.net.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.
BUT BUT BUT Little Johnny Stevens whined & said it should have not only NOT been a Goal, BUT a Penalty on Sid for Goalie Interference
GOOD GOD THAT MORON MUST BUY MIDOLS BY THE TRACTOR TRAILER
What a PUTZ !!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Evilpens on 04/21/09 at 10:13 PM ET