PITTSBURGH (AP) - Evgeni Malkin scored two dazzling goals 5
minutes apart to give Pittsburgh a two-goal lead, after Sidney
Crosby tied it, and the Penguins rode their two big stars to a 4-2
victory over cross-state rival Philadelphia in Game 1 of the
Eastern Conference finals.
Malkin is the leading scorer in the playoffs with 17 points
following a three-point night. He scored with 6.5 seconds left in
the first period to put Pittsburgh up 3-2.
The pivotal goal blunted much of the momentum the Flyers gained
by briefly taking a 2-1 lead on Mike Richards' two goals.
The Penguins won their ninth in 10 playoff games and are 6-and-0
at home. It's the first team in franchise history that Pittsburgh
has begun the playoffs with that many successive home-ice wins.
Game 2 is Sunday night before the series shifts to Philadelphia on
Tuesday.