By Brian Cazeneuve, SI.com
PITTSBURGH -- Memo to the Philadelphia Flyers: the Pittsburgh Penguins do not need your help. They are perfectly capable of skating like the wind, creating lemonade out of lemons, scoring from geometric impossibilities and generally handling their offensive needs on their own, thank you very much. The problem was that the Flyers, playing the Penguins even or better for most of the first two periods, gave the explosive Pens a silver platter with pucks on it four times on Friday night. It was enough to give Pittsburgh a 4-2 victory in Game 1 of its Eastern Conference playoff series against the upstart and undermanned Flyers, who are most definitely underdogs in this series, and underdogs cannot make these kinds of mistakes.
It would be easy to highlight Evgeni Malkin, who scored twice, showed a mean streak and is slowly emerging as the Penguins' (and perhaps the league's) best player in these playoffs. But the Flyers have overcome teams with bigger stars in the post-season; they just haven't done it after serving up freebies. "The difference from my perspective was the chances we gave them as much as what they created for themselves," said Flyers coach John Stevens.
Let's review ...
In the first period, Flyers' defenseman Patrick Thoresen coughed up the puck to Ryan Malone in the neutral zone after the puck bounced over his stick. Malone gave the puck to Malkin, who led Petr Sykora down the right side. Sykora then flipped a backhand top shelf over Marty Biron for the game's opening goal. At this point, the Flyers owned most of the game's better chances but didn't have anything to show for it on the scoreboard.
Mike Richards changed that, scoring twice within four minutes on a wraparound and a rebound when he beat three Penguins to the puck in the slot with seven minutes left in the first period. The Flyers owned a 12-3 advantage in shots, playing an outstanding road game by getting traffic in front of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and getting back against the speedy Penguin forwards. It was a great template for the Flyers to follow for the rest of the night, but instead they loaded, aimed and nailed themselves in the big toe. It was bad enough that the Philadelphia's defense had already been shot in the foot. Kimmo Timonen, the Flyers best shutdown backliner, was already a scratch while recovering from a blood clot he suffered after blocking a shot in the previous series against Montreal.
Without Timonen, the Flyers had Jason Smith on the ice, skating a regular shift with Derian Hatcher. That may have contributed to Biron's critical goof a minute after his team had taken the lead. Biron went behind his net with ample to time to play the puck, but instead of leaving it for Smith, who was right next to him, Biron wound the puck to the opposite corner. Marian Hossa picked it off and fired a goalmouth pass to Sidney Crosby, who redirected it with a subtle slant of the stick past Biron for a 2-2 tie.
Later, Hossa credited teammate Pascal Dupuis for pressuring Biron into the pass. "Pascal was bearing down on him," Hossa insisted. "It wasn't his fault, because Dupuis forced the play." From this angle, Biron had at least a two-count to make a decision. In hockey-standard-time, that's plenty.
Then in the closing seconds of the period, Scotty Upshall sent a lazy clearing pass to the Penguins' blue line, where Ryan Whitney picked it off. Whitney barely looked up ice before send a cross-ice pass up the right side for a streaking Malkin, who was either offside, or daringly close, depending on whether his left skate was actually touching the blue line. Either way, Malkin took the lead pass and beat Biron with a snap shot from the right circle.
Then four minutes into the second period, with the Flyers on a power play, Randy Jones whiffed on a shot attempt and coughed up the puck to Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Malkin then headed up ice, took a lead pass, was denied by Biron and got clobbered behind the Flyers goal. Malkin was dazed and never made it back up the ice. The Flyers left him alone and seconds later he was in alone against Biron. By his own account, Malkin was a little sore about the previous play -- through his Russian interpreter, he may have said something like "royally ticked off," -- so he wound up and drilled a slap shot from 12 feet under Biron's arm and into the net for a 4-2 Penguins' lead. "I didn't know where to shoot," Malkin explained. "I just wanted to hit it as hard as I could."
This was a game the Flyers could have won, especially since they held Crosby to a manageable one point and three shots. "It's uncharacteristic of a playoff game for a team to make mistakes like that," Crosby said afterward, "but we still had to capitalize on them and we really made them pay."
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Comments (68) Add A Comment
I instead saw it as the Pens used their opportunities and the Flyers did not. The Pens D played very well after a slow start. Both teams had bad passes intercepted, but the Pens simply played better.
GoPSULions
Monroe, GA
Total Comments (364)
In my eyes, it was a good and energetic game with the Flyers being a worthy opponent to the (so far) very successful playoff Penguins. I don't think that PIT actually played better for most of the time, they rather had the edge in converting their chances. The way the game started, it could have gone either way. Malkin is definitely the player to cover, considering his speed, control and precision.
Seeing this game in direct comparison to Pittsburgh's games against Ottawa, I can safely say that this actually is real playoff hockey. The Senators simply weren't on top of it, giving the Penguins way too much room and time with the puck to generate chances and as a result, the Penguins dominated the play.
At this point, it really is hard to say which team is the "better" one. Philly is definitely undermanned, as it says in the article, but considering the severity of their loss (Timmonen), they are holding up nicely. Maybe, if Pittsburgh manages to find their way through the very capable Flyers defense, they can win this series in six or seven, but it's going to be a really bumpy ride.
claim
Dortmund, NW
Total Comments (2)
The Flyers are used to losing game 1, making adjustments, and then winning the series. It will be harder to do against the Pens, but still no time to panic. Should continue to be a very exciting series.
Miguel#94
Total Comments (875)
You are a complete ignorant fool for writing this article. You need to give credit where credit's due on this. I watched the game again this morning, and every singly one of those goals were fought for, not gifty wrapped. Brian, you're obviously a little biased.
vukmir
Pittsburgh, PA
Total Comments (1)
I guess every reporter is biased against every team. Obviously.
Flyers37
Morrisville , PA
Total Comments (20)
Malkin is a Bum!!!!!!!!! What kind of guy stops and waits on the opposing teams blue line, instead of back checking, especially shot handed? If the Flyers would have scored on the defacto 5 on 3 he created he would have been the goat! It was just a lazy hockey play, not to mention he took a slap shot from 10 feet away. He may have all the talent in the world, but cherry picking only shows that you are an incomplete selfish play, who would have been reamed out by his coaches on any level! Unfortunately the broadcasters are too afraid of criticising the all and powerful Malkin!
The Umbergerler
Doylestown , PA
Total Comments (1)
He was not being lazy. Richards rocked him behind the net and he was dazed. Drinking too much orange Kool-Aid this morning???
Flyers37
Morrisville , PA
Total Comments (20)
I believe the first goal was picked up by Malkin, dropped to Malone who fed it across to Sykora.
This game came down to one thing, goaltending. Otherwise it was evenly played. For Philidelphia to win the series...
1. Biron has to at least play as well as Fleury
2. Briere needs to earn his contract and play to his skill level
3. Flyers need to stay out of the box. If you had told me the Pens would only have 2 powerplays I would say that the Flyers would win. The Flyers don't need to get nasty. The Pens have the series' best fighter (Laraque), biggest player I think (Gil) and most physical player (Orpik), and they have just as many stars that could get hurt.
Don't take this as an attack on Hossa, who I have become a fan of because of his spirited defensive play, but if Sykora was on Crosby's line for Hossa, Crosby would have 20 points and Sykora would have 10 goals. Hossa has had more oppurtunities with goalies out of position than anyone in the playoffs...
Penguins have decent defensemen, but being such a young team helps them play defense. All around the NHL, teams are striving for forwards to commit to team defense. Maybe the Pens have more energy for D b/c they are young, and maybe they just buy in to the philosphy better, but their forwards D it up as well as any. Dupuis and Hossa certainly help.
EnoughJOEPATERNO
Marcy , NY
Total Comments (52)
On the shorthanded goal, Malkin was rocked, got up, found the puck, and took his anger out on the puck. The Flyers were WRONG to leave Malkin. In that situation, you play the 4-3 (better than a 5-4 which is why you don't see penalty killers cherrypick) and you leave someone back to make sure.
Scottie Upshall had an obvious dive. I didn't see any Pens hitting the ground too easily.
A couple Pens took high sticks, no calls...
This series has only begun. Biron has played poorly every serires so far leading to a Flyer loss. Also, some of the breakdowns that lead to Pens goals will be fixed as new Defensive pairs get comfortable with each other.
EnoughJOEPATERNO
Marcy , NY
Total Comments (52)
I saw two things yesterday:
1. The Pens skated circles around Philly.
2. Philly is a damn dirty team. How about the face slash and high stick to the back of the head that weren't called down the stretch, not to mention the sour grapes at the end of the game.
Bottom line: Pittsburgh came to play, and Philly came to be thugs.
bonediddy
Mason , WV
Total Comments (6)
Bonediddy - sour grapes? it must suck to have become a hockey fan in the last three years since the pens had every number one draft pick. this is playoff hockey bud, there are fights at the end of every game and it becomes very violent. if you watch any series with this much history and rivalry you would know that the end of every game will result in a scrum or two, especially when the game is already decided. have fun watching the rest of your first ever conference finals.
Shav
University Park , PA
Total Comments (6)
I would of loved to seen your faces when Malkin scored the short handed goal!!!!LOL.....I said it last night and will say it again. Your now going to see what the Pens really have, so take off your face paint, have a xanax...be prepared to lose.
GO PENS!!!!!!
oode
Brandon, FL
Total Comments (20)
be preparred to EAT UR WORDS code when the series is tied sunday night...fkyers handed them this game!
Ltl1d
Philadelphia , PA
Total Comments (146)
Not sure why I would be accused of being unknowedgable for stating that Philly is dirty. They are the most penalized team in the playoffs for a reason.
bonediddy
Mason , WV
Total Comments (6)
Shav - We've had 2 number one picks and 1 number 2 pick( where we picked up Malkin and washington took Ovechkin with the #1) and before that we made the playoffs for 10 straight years and even went to the conference finals 2000-2001 playoffs. I love how all you Philly fans treat the Pens like the Pirates of the NHL or something. We've enjoyed a great level of success here over the recent years barring the last four years. But to rebuild the Pens let go of some veterans, drafted well and now we're reaping the benefits.
MayorCrow
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (128)
The Flyers are overmatched in speed, skill and physicallity in this series. Give Philly some credit, though, they did execute their game plan. That was to stay out of the penalty box at all costs and try to get traffic in front of Fleury. It still didn't work. I'm sure Stevens didn't sleep much last night as his team has no answer for the Malkin line. The first line for each team is evenly matched, the series will be won by the Malkin line in 5. Hockey fans should just sit back and enjoy Malkin as he out-skates, out-scores, and out-hits any Flyer willing to go against him. if Hatcher is lucky Malkin just might drop the gloves and put him on his back as well. On the other hand, Malkin might want to wise-up and cut out some of the cheap stuff as he's already a marked man. No need to motivate someone to take a charge at him.
HockeyRules08
Huntersville , NC
Total Comments (4)
Wow Pitt fans sure are confident! Nothing I saw from them last night showed me that this series is done. Flyers letting up a goal with 6.5 seconds left in a period, this is simplya mistake. It won't happen again, and Malkin cherry picking after being crushed by hit is unlucky. Flyers need to keep crashing the net to get Fleury off his game, they need the breaks to go their way tomorrow. If the Flyers keep the game close and don't let Pitt go into that BORING trap Flyers will prevail.
Still not impressed Flyers in 6
we'llbeatne1
Marcus Hook , PA
Total Comments (25)
If skating circles around the Flyers didn't impress you, maybe watching 3 more games of it will. About the only thing the Flyers can do at this point is try to out hit the Pens and crash the goal and hope for rebounds. That will just lead to putting the best power play back in action. But don't let that stop you from painting your faces again tomorrow.
HockeyRules08
Huntersville , NC
Total Comments (4)
Malkin is a Bum!!!!!!!!! What kind of guy stops and waits on the opposing teams blue line, instead of back checking, especially shot handed? If the Flyers would have scored on the defacto 5 on 3 he created he would have been the goat! It was just a lazy hockey play, not to mention he took a slap shot from 10 feet away. He may have all the talent in the world, but cherry picking only shows that you are an incomplete selfish play, who would have been reamed out by his coaches on any level! Unfortunately the broadcasters are too afraid of criticising the all and powerful Malkin!
The Umbergerler | 05/10/08, 09:49 AM Report Offensive Comment
I like the selective memory. If Philly had scored, or Malkin hadn't gotten that chance, you'd be talking **** about how Malkin got rocked by that hit. Or are you just taking a cue from the Philly Inquirer and Tim Panaccio?
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/Sloppy_Flyers_lose_to_Penguins_ in_Game_1_.html?page=2
It's simply ridiculous that you or guy are claiming Malkin was cherry picking. He clearly got up slow from that hit, so it would only make sense that he's lagging behind the play.
And EnoughJoePaterno, you're exactly right on the Scottie Upshall dive. My 2 and a half year old son could have kept his footing on that play, but Scottie went down easier than Paris Hilton on night vision.
perfect360
Pittsburgh , PA
Total Comments (989)
Doesn't worry you Flyer fans that the Flyers did absolutely nothing after their spurt in the first period. Unlike thew Ranger series where I felt each game was in jeopardy until the final buzzer I never felt like Philly generated any sustained pressure after the first period. They had a few isolated scoring chances and that's it. I'm not silly enough to call the series over but I just wasn't very impressed last night. I understand Philly lost it's best defenseman and that is definitely a tough break. There is now way I see them being able to handle 2 lines as skilled as the Pens top 2.
GUHUMD
Boiling Springs , PA
Total Comments (13)
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