Philadelphia turns tables on champs to even series
FLYERS 5, PENGUINS 1
Sean Couturier had a goal and two assists, Brian Elliott stopped 34 shots and the Philadelphia Flyers cooled off the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 on Friday night to even the first-round series at a game apiece.
Shane Gostisbehere, Travis Konecny, Andrew McDonald and Nolan Patrick also scored for the Flyers. They bounced back from an embarrassing 7-0 loss in the opener to beat the Penguins for the first time this season. Game 3 is Sunday in Philadelphia. Patric Hornqvist scored Pittsburgh’s lone goal with just over five minutes left to avoid the shutout, but the Penguins looked ordinary for long stretches after looking unstoppable in Game 1.
Matt Murray’s shutout streak dating to the 2017 Stanley Cup finals ended at 225 minutes and 49 seconds when Gostisbehere scored on the power play late in the first period. Murray finished with 16 saves to lose for just the third time in 17 home playoff starts in his career.
Flyers coach Dave Hakstol made no changes to the lineup that was picked apart in the series opener, confident his team would respond.
That included staying with Elliott, who was pulled midway through the second period in Game 1 after giving up five goals on just 19 shots.
The 33-year-old didn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence early. He appeared to have no clue where the puck was when Hornqvist’s shot zipped by his left pad only to smack off the post in the first period. Elliott appeared caught off guard moments later when Justin Schultz’s fluttering shot from just above the goal-line handcuffed him. The puck stayed out of the net, however, and Elliott quickly steadied.
The Flyers struggled to sustain pressure on Murray, but took advantage of what few opportunities they created. Philadelphia went on the power play late in the first period and Gostisbehere sent a shot from the point that made its way through a Nolan Patrick screen, between Murray’s legs and into the net with 37 seconds left.
It didn’t take the Flyers long to beat Murray again. Less than two minutes. Murray got his right pad on Couturier’s shot from in front but the puck popped up, caromed off Letang and into the net 47 seconds into the second.
The Penguins began pressing but Elliott responded. Crosby broke in alone just past the game’s midway point but Elliott’s glove swallowed up the Pittsburgh captain’s backhand attempt. Crosby had another chance in the final moments of the second period but when he couldn’t convert from the right post, he smashed his stick over the crossbar in frustration.
When Konecny held off Chad Ruhwedel and chipped the puck over Murray’s glove 1:21 into the third, the Flyers had control of the game. Just over 18 minutes later they had their first victory against Pittsburgh in 383 days.