Pens win opener 3-1 over Flyers

After the disappointment of last year's playoff meltdown in Philadelphia, and the 100+ day lockout, the Penguins and Flyers had their much anticipated rematch to open the 2012-13 season which is now just the 2013 season.  I kept telling myself that you cannot take too much away from the results of this game either way, and I still believe that, but it sure was fun to watch.  The Penguins opened the scoring at 4:40 of the first period when Kennedy scored his first off of clean face off win by Sutter that went out to Niskanen on the point and over to Martin whose shot was deflected by Kennedy into the net to make it 1-0 Penguins.  A power play goal.  At 7:20 James Neal took another clean faceoff win, this time by Malkin and buried it to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead.  Ghosts of the 2012 playoffs haunted me, as this 2-3 goal early lead led to losses for Pittsburgh in Games 1 and 2 of those playoffs.  Sure enough, Giroux scored 23 seconds into the second, after Kunitz let Giroux loose, and our favorite ginger put a perfect pass on his stick, that Giroux slid behind the Flower cutting the lead to 2-1.  It felt a lot like April 2012 to many at that point.  Unlike last season, this Penguins team wound up holding onto this lead through solid special teams, and a quality 26 save effort by Fleury.  Kunitz added the final goal, an empty net power play goal, assisted by Paul Martin at 19:48 to close out the scoring at 3-1. It was a nice win for many reasons including the fact that every game is a four point swing this season.  Moreover, the special teams were dominant with the power play going 2 for 3 tonight and the PK going 5 for 5!  As important was the utter faceoff dominance by the four centers with Jeffrey going 5/8 and 63%, Sutter 8/14 and 57%, Malkim 7/12 and 58%, and Crosby going a sizzling 13/20 and 65%!  Two goals came off of clean face off wins.  Paul Martin played possibly his best game as a Penguin, solid in all three zones and adding two points to boot.  Sutter showcased his grit, his PK prowess, his shot blocking and overall intelligent play, and the other newcomer, Tanner Glass played a very solid and physical game as well.  One game only, but a solid start and big road win.  Rangers in New York tomorrow!