Malkin, Rust goals not enough as Penguins drop Game 1 to Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers took Game 1 at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday, despite a few bright spots for the Pittsburgh Penguins' home crowd.

Evgeni Malkin’s 68th career playoff goal served as the primary highlight, while Bryan Rust added a late spark by scoring with just a minute remaining in regulation.

FIRST PERIOD

Not long after the puck drop, at 1:53, Flyers Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was awarded 2 minutes for a penalty for roughing Elmer Soderblom. Followed shortly by Kris Letang, also awarded 2 minutes for tripping Flyers' Tyson Foerster.

At 8:54, the puck finds the net, as Flyers Center Christian Dvorak shoots and scores a goal behind Stuart Skinner, but was shortly waived off due to Goaltender Interference.

A matching penalty at 11:16 with Sidney Crosby earning a roughing minor after pulling off Jamie Drysdale’s helmet, and Drysdale for Interference, making the game go 4 on 4.

At the end of the first period of Game 1, the scoreboard remains even. Despite four penalties being called, neither power play could find the net. Philadelphia heads into the intermission leading in shots, 10–5.

SECOND PERIOD

Penguins Goaltender Stuart Skinner turned aside 14 consecutive shots to keep the net closed for the Flyers, but the puck finally found the back of the net at 10:41 of the period, with Jamie Drysdale finding the back of the net for his first career playoff goal, assisted by Zegras and Barkey to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead.

Of course, the Penguins won't let them lead much longer, as Evgeni Malkin ties the scores with 4:09 remaining in the second period, assisted by Rakell and Letang.

Another achievement for the Russian center, as he marks his 68th career playoff goal, while also bringing the momentum back to the home crowd as Malkin makes the scoreboard tied at 1-1.

Second period ends with even scores on the board, and a Flyers power play with 48 seconds remaining from a penalty awarded to Penguins' Anthony Mantha for cross-checking Flyers' Ristolainen. Philadelphia heads into the intermission leading in shots once again with 16-10.

THIRD PERIOD

The PPG Paints Arena falls silent, the crowd slumping in disappointment 10 minutes in as Travis Sanheim achieves his 3rd career playoff goal, putting the Philadelphia Flyers back in the lead with 2-1, assisted by Ristolainen and Dvorak.

Flyers Rookie Porter Martone further silences the PPG Paints Arena by scoring a goal, furthering the gap from the Penguins with 3-1. The rookie winger found the back of the net in his first career post-season appearance.

A series of cross-check, cross-check, cross-check by Travis Sanheim, and a slash returned by Sidney Crosby results in both of them going to the penalty box, both earning 2 minutes, forcing the game into a 4-on-4 for two minutes.

The penalty took 8 seconds before Bryan Rust fuels the cheers up at Pittsburgh, scoring with less than a minute left in the third period, assisted by Malkin and Karlsson. This goal is Rust's 22nd career playoff goal.

The final buzzer's sound roams the arena, as the Philadelphia Flyers take game 1 in Pittsburgh. Negativity doesn't engulf the team nor the city, as the Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to 'Flip The Script' once again, with the remaining 6 games in round 1.

Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, as Game 2 follows on Monday, April 20 at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh at 7PM EST. The game is available to watch on ESPN, SN360 and TVAS.

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