Going into this game the Penguins had won four straight and the Flyers had won five of their last six, losing only to the Panthers in the shoot-out. So, these two teams were hot coming into this game.Their wasn't the same intensity in this game as there was in the Laviolette/Hartnell days but you could still see that the same raw hatred from both sides was there.
Despite the two teams being strong coming into this the first period was all about the goaltenders. A number of times they were both called into action, especially Mason who as confronted at all strengths. One theme throughout the game that was stark was the Flyers inherent reluctant to shoot. Throughout the game they totalled just 17 shots on net, which marks for their lowest ever against the Penguins.
Despite this shot differential it was the Flyers who took the lead first. Through Radko Gudas of all people on a shot from the point that was identical to his goal against the Blackhawks the game before. The Penguins teams of the past in this rivalry match-up would have capitulated and struggled to formulate a response. Not these Penguins.
It took them just a minute to respond through Daley. Bonino, who has had a rough season, picked him up with a sweet pass across the ice and Daley buried it with gusto. From there the game entered no-mans land. No inch was given and none was taken until a superb defensive play by Phil Kessel created the Penguins second goal.
A lot it made about Kessel's defensive game and how it is apparently lacking but recently he has been one of the most prominent back-checkers and really improved that aspect. Sure, his production is slightly below what you would want, but it is far from awful. It is criminal that Kessel didn't get an assist after holding the puck on the boards for Bonino to pick out Hagelin who rifled it home.
Crosby was riding a 10 point game streak going into this game, his second streak of the season that has reach such a length. A rivalry game with a quiet Crosby is something rare and he wasn't going to be kept quiet tonight. The Penguins benefited from a bounce off the boards and Mason to give them a 3-1 lead before a Crosby led breakaway with the Flyers net empty sealed the deal.
With the win the Penguins move just two points behind the New York Rangers in the second Metropolitan division spot and the last home advantage spot. It would have been crazy a month ago to think the Penguins could make that spot home, but they could yet. They need to beat the Capitals tomorrow though.
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