Pens win playoff opener 3-0

Tonight was the first playoff game in the history of the Consol Energy Center, and boy what a game! The Penguins played a smart, physical game from the drop of the puck, with Brooks Orpik setting the tone early drilling Steven Stamkos in the corner. The Penguins were throwing the body around, shooting the puck, and NOT taking penalties........despite going 0 for 6 on the power play, the Penguins score two goals in under a minute midway through the third period, and add an empty netter late to take a 3-0 victory. The first goal highlighted a lot of the skills, strength and work ethic of James Neal. Neal rushed the puck into the zone, got a shot off, then outmuscled the Tampa defense behind the net to set up Mark Letestu with a point blank shot. Roloson makes the save, the puck goes behind the net, Neal again wins the battle behind the net, walks out from behind the cage, gets a shot off that gets blocked. After this, he rotates to the other side and high, and after a great play by Martin, Neal finds Kovalev in front of the net, and Kovalev buries the puck. That was a sequence that really let you know what all Neal brings to the table. Then before, the goal announcements can be made, Arron Asham rushes the puck, fakes a shot, comes out from behind the net, and on a second shot, buries the puck behind Roloson to send the crowd into a frenzy. With under a minute left, Chris Kunitz gets the insurance goal into an empty net. So, one down, and fifteen to go! Some things to take away from tonight's game:

The Penguins do not win this game if Fleury does not stand on his head, particularly early in the game in this 32 save shutout effort;

Brooks Orpik was a monster, laying bodies out all over the ice, and adding two assists;

It was great to see Kovalev get on the board, even if it was partially the result of him getting up VERY lazily after he was tripped on the play by the net;

Dwayne Roloson was spectacular also, with 37 saves of his own;

Tampa flipped the script on Pittsburgh, by taking a lot of penalties;

This was Marc Andre Fleury's 5 playoff shutout of his career, making him 2nd to Tom Barrasso's 6;

Asham reminded us all of why the Pens went out and got him this offseason as his goal was reminiscent of his stellar play for the Flyers in their post season run;

This was Pittsburgh's 38th playoff win since 2008, most in the NHL;

Dan Bylsma surpassed the legendary Scotty Bowman for most playoff wins as head coach of the Penguins with 24;

When James Neal starts finding the net, look out!

For those Tampa fans whining about the no call on the Martin St. Louis "high stick" no call, wake the fuck up! First off, he is two feet tall, so how high is your stick to catch his face? Second, look at the play, as mini mouse was on the god damn ice, his face maybe six inches from the surface, and the play was inadvertant. The no call on Kubina tripping Kovalev, now that was a joke, but justice was served;

The Consol was rocking tonight, and after the first 14 minutes or so of the game, the Penguins really had the Lightning on their heels with their physical play and tenacious forecheck. See you Friday night.