Pens lose opener 3-2 to Hated Flyers (Everything will be ok)

All day yesterday people were asking me how I felt about the Pens this year. I kept replying, it's Stanley Cup or bust. The team has more scoring depth this year, and should have a better defense with Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek. I also thought that Marc-Andre Fleury and Evgeni Malkin would have great seasons, considering their disappointments last year. I still stand by all those predictions and feelings despite the loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Before I get into the game, let's talk about some of the Hollywood type things that went on before the game. The Pens rolled out a red carpet for the players to enter the new arena. Then the great Mario Lemieux poured melted ice from Mellon arena on to the new ice at Consol Energy Center. All those things were cool but I thought the red carpet was a little much considering that the Pens aren't the defending Stanley Cup Champions and should not act like it.

As for the game itself, it definitely didn't go as plan as the Pens would go on to lose the game to the Flyers by a score of 3-2. One thing the Pens weren't counting on was Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky is just 22 years old and was making his first career start last night against the high powered Pens, but he was calm and big save after big save.  It was even more impressive considering that the Pens came out in full speed last night, cycling the puck very well, and getting legitimate scoring titles. Bobrovsky also decided to bring his best friend the post last night, I swear I counted up to 9 shots from the Pens that hit the post.

The Pens didn't play a horrible game, in fact I thought they were the better team 5 on 5, but some bad luck and one lazy pass from Kris Letang lead to a goal scored by Claude Giroux. That pass is unacceptable, there's no reason for it. I like Letang, I think he is very talented but that can't happen again.  Again I thought Letang looked good, especially his puck carrying. When Letang takes the puck on his own to through the neutral zone he's nearly unstoppable.

Speaking of unstoppable, when Sidney Crosby wanted to do something with the puck he did it last night. Well besides put the puck into the net. Crosby finished the game with 9 shots on goal and a few more off the post. I felt Crosby's frustration, knowing that he wanted to score a goal so bad. Besides that though, Sid was his usual self, setting up plays, generating great scoring chances and dominating on face-offs. I'm not worried about Sid not scoring and neither should any of yinz.

Marc-Andre Fleury had a better game then I think most of yinz are giving him credit for. He made a few highlight reel saves last night, including this beauty that kept the Flyers from putting the game out of reach.


I also have a problem blaming Fleury for any of the three goals but I do expect better from him in the future.

The Pens got to show their new-look powerplay last night with Alex Gologoski at the point with Evgeni Malkin. Crosby was still on the half-board but last night he was on the opposite side for the first couple of chances. Both Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi got opportunities to be the "guy in front of the net" and screen the goalie. I think Tangradi is perfect for that role and had a strong game overall last night, even though I guess Head Coach Dan Bylsma doesn't agree seeing as he moved Tangradi to the 4th line in the middle of the game last night.

As for the power-play it went 1-5 last night with Gologoski getting the poweplay goal in the 3rd period. The Pens also surrendered a short-handed goal. With Malkin at the point look for other teams to challenge him often. I still don't think the Pens have a powerplay worthy of their talent and it needs to be fixed.

I thought some of the role-players had good games. Especially Mark Letesteu and Tyler Kennedy who was the 1st Penguin to score. I thought both players played well and creating scoring chances.

In the end the Pens loss and that sucks but don't overreact, it's just one game and the Pens are a very talented team that just needs to build chemistry. The Pens will compete for a Stanley Cup this year. So don't worry.