Penguins Trail Flyers for Majority of Game
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Despite putting up four goals of their own, the Pittsburgh Penguins couldn’t take down the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. The Pens took an early two goal deficit, but managed to keep it a close game up to the end of the first period. Unfortunately, the Flyers began to widen the gap a little in the second period. Even though Pittsburgh has been going through this rough patch, they still remain more than three games ahead of the New York Rangers, and only trail the New Jersey Devils by three games.
Within the first seven minutes, the Flyers had already put in two goals, one being off a Power Play. However, Sidney Crosby closed the gap a little during the eighth minute, putting in Kris Letang’s rebounded shot. Crosby is currently ranked fifth in the NHL for total points, and fourth for total goals. Late in the period, the Flyers capitalized on another Power Play opportunity, but, before the period could end, Matt Cooke was right there to make it a one goal deficit again.
The Flyer’s game plan must have been to come out strong early in each period, because they managed to put two more in during the first three minutes of the second period. After giving up the first goal, Marc Andre Fleury was switched out with Brent Johnson, who then gave up the second goal. With the game a little more than halfway over, Crosby came around the net, banking a shot off a Flyers player, into the goal. The second period ended with the Flyers leading, 5-2.
In the third period, the Penguins had their highest amount of shots, while giving up the least amount of shots; unfortunately, they were unable to come back and win the game. Philadelphia put another goal past Johnson during the ninth minute, while Michael Rupp had the only Pittsburgh goal for the period, receiving the pass from Max Talbot. With only a few minutes left, and the Penguins trailing by two goals, Johnson was pulled to gain the one man advantage. The result was a final Flyer goal into an Empty Net.
Luca Caputi was a key part to many great plays, almost resulting in goals, but only managed to leave the game with one assist. However, he has grabbed a goal and an assist in his first two games of the season.
No matter who the Penguins put in the goal, the Flyers seemed to be able to score. Fleury had 11 saves, giving up the first four goals before being pulled. Johnson did a little better with 13 saves, but he still gave up two goals. The Penguins had a great offensive effort, taking 39 shots, and putting four of them in.
The Penguins can hopefully pull out a win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, January 9. The puck will drop at 7:00 P.M. ET.
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