Penguins Score 3 Power-Play Goals to Down Flyers in Game 3

(Kate Frese/SB Nation)

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Flyers would be carrying momentum back to Philadelphia after a Game 2 win to even the series, and they carried the early jump in the first period of Game 3.

Of course, to really bury the Penguins, you have to score, and the Flyers could not in the first period with Matt Murray standing tall. The Flyers completely unraveled in the last two periods with a lack of discipline and, at times, awareness, allowing the Penguins to put on a similar display to Game 1.

With a 5-1 defeat in Game 3, the Flyers now trail in the series, 2-1.

The Flyers controlled much of the early play, but the dangerous Penguins were able to capitalize on a Flyers turnover to grab the lead first.

Michael Raffl failed to clear the zone and turned the puck over to Patric Hornqvist. He got a pass over to Sidney Crosby, but he couldn't handle the bouncing puck cleanly. Crosby was able to corral the puck and tuck it home on a wraparound, giving the Penguins the lead at 10:25.

Despite trailing after one period, the Flyers held an 11-4 advantage in shots and controlled much of the play. They successfully killed off a Pittsburgh power play, but were also 0-for-2 on power play chances of their own.

As good as the Flyers first period was, the second period was a replica of the Game 1 debacle.

Pittsburgh got a power play less than two minutes into the period and capitalized. Derick Brassard was able to score on a rebound off a quick feed by Phil Kessel to make it 2-0 at 2:48.

The Penguins had another power play later in the period started as a 4-on-3. The Penguins were able to take advantage of the extra space on the ice, setting up Evgeni Malkin for a one-timer to make it 3-0 at 6:48.

Just five seconds later, the Penguins were on the board again. Crosby took control off a face-off and gained quick entry into the zone. With the Flyers perplexed by the Penguins charge, Crosby got the puck to Brian Dumoulin, who beat Brian Elliott clean with a shot from the high slot to make it 4-0.

The Flyers did get on the board at 13:42. A point shot by Travis Sanheim deflected off Dumoulin and beat Murray to break up the shutout.

The Flyers were out-shot by the Penguins, 13-8, in the second period. Pittsburgh was 2-for-3 on the power play in the period, while the Flyers were 0-for-2 with 51 seconds of their fourth man advantage of the game carrying into the third period.

The Flyers couldn't score on the power play, and took two more penalties in the third to basically take themselves right out of the game.

The Penguins took care of things for good on the second, with Justin Schultz scoring to make it 5-1 with Pittsburgh's third power-play goal of the game.

Elliott made 21 saves in the loss. Murray made 26 saves in the win.

Crosby had four points, including the goal to open the scoring. Malkin also had two points, a goal and an assist.

Game 4 is back in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• PIT Sidney Crosby (4) (Patric Hornqvist) 10:25

2nd Period

• PIT Derick Brassard (1) PP (Phil Kessel, Kris Letang) 2:48
• PIT Evgeni Malkin (2) PP (Letang, Crosby) 6:48
• PIT Brian Dumoulin (1) (Crosby) 6:53
• PHI Travis Sanheim (1) (Nolan Patrick, Jake Voracek) 13:42

3rd Period

• PIT Justin Schultz (1) PP (Malkin, Crosby) 7:08

Game Statistics