Pittsburgh Penguins: Top Five Playoff Goals from Round 1

Apr 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate a goal by center Scott Wilson (23) against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Pens won the game 5-2 and the series 4 games to 1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate a goal by center Scott Wilson (23) against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Pens won the game 5-2 and the series 4 games to 1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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The first round series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets saw many goals scored by both teams.

The Pittsburgh Penguins scored a total of 21 goals in the first round–a league best. Out of all 21, let’s take a look at the five best in my opinion.

Game One: Phil Kessel

A pretty self-explanatory goal here, but still a beauty. Kessel picks up the puck and does what he does best. He snipes one perfectly over the shoulder of Sergei Bobrovsky to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead in game one.

This goal was a crucial one too as it ended up being the game-winner.

Game Two: Jake Guentzel

The play executed by the Penguins here is just amazing in general. Forcing a turnover in the defensive zone, the Penguins were able to pick the puck up and start a quick rush. This caused the Blue Jackets to live a nightmare–giving Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel a two-on-one.

The duo executed on the two-on-one perfectly. Crosby dished a perfect pass to Guentzel who scored with a great one-timer.

Game Two: Evgeni Malkin

This play is great to watch. Absolutely great passing by the Penguins all around to keep the Blue Jackets guessing. Ultimately, the Penguins dish the puck over to Evgeni Malkin who has an opening from the side of the net. His goal put the Penguins up 3-1.

Game Five: Scott Wilson

Not only is this Scott Wilson’s first playoff goal of his career, but it’s an absolute beauty.

What makes this such a nice goal? For one, Wilson finds the rebound while skating away from Bobrovsky. And then he puts in a no-look, behind-the-back tap to put the Penguins up in a a crucial game five.

Game Five: Sidney Crosby

And the winner is….Sidney Crosby of course, with this beauty of a goal.

There’s really nothing much I can say here except WOW. Crosby set this play up perfectly. From the initial pass to his positioning at the side of the net, he was prepared to sink one in the back of the net. That one-timer on one knee was the perfect touch for a Penguins game five victory.

Next: Three Takeaways from the First Round

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