Philadelphia 4 – Pittsburgh 3 OT: Flyers stun Penguins, take Game 1

Jakub Voracek scored 2:23 into overtime and the Philadelphia Flyers stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins, defeating the Penguins 4-3 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series, to take a 1-0 series.

The Penguins who were in control of the game, squandered a three goal lead after getting first period goals from Sidney Crosby, Tyler Kennedy and Pascal Dupuis, taking a commanding 3-0 lead after one period.

The Penguins had a Flyers team down that looked rattled but the Penguins were unable to put them out.

Pittsburgh let Philadelphia hang around and Daniel Briere got behind defensemen Brooks Orpik, Paul Martin for a breakaway goal at 6:22 of the second period on a clear off-side play to cut Pittsburgh’s lead to 3-1 and get back into the game. The Flyers began to push the play offensively and Briere who was tremendous in the win, struck again at 9:17 of the third period after the Flyers established a cycle down low to get within one goal off a shot from the left sideboards.

Appearing frustrated by Briere’s dominance in the offensive zone, Brooks Orpik delivered a crushing hit on Briere behind the Penguins net on what was a clear late interference call. Orpik headed to the box and Brayden Schenn tied the game a 1:43 later with a power play goal at 12:22 of the third period. The Flyers capitalized on their only power play opportunity while the Penguins failed to capitalize on three chances, going 0-3 on the night. Pittsburgh had a power play just 3:04 into the second period, leading 3-0 and had two power plays when up 3-1, including a power play just 1:49 into the third period where they could have put the game away.

The Flyers did an excellent job in the second half of the game of establishing a strong cycle and Voracek’s OT winner was off the cycle as Matt Carle threw a puck to the net and the puck went over Kris Letang’s stick in front and Jordan Staal failed to pickup Voracek.

Game 2 is Friday night.

1st Period

PIT 3:43 – Sidney Crosby (1)

Assists: Pascal Dupuis, Kris Letang (1-0 PIT)

PIT 7:49 – Tyler Kennedy (1)

Assists: Jordan Staal, Kris Letang (2-0 PIT)

PIT 19:23 Pascal Dupuis (1)

Assists: Steve Sullivan, Sidney Crosby (3-0 PIT)

2nd Period

PHI 6:22 – Daniel Briere (1)

Assists: Brayden Schenn (3-1 PIT)

3rd Period

PHI 9:17 – Daniel Briere (2)

Assists: Brayden Schenn (3-2 PIT)

PHI 12:23 – Brayden Schenn (1, power play)

Assists: Scott Hartnell, Jaromir Jagr (3-3 PHI)

PHI – 2:23 Jakub Voracek (1)

Assists: Matt Carle, Matt Read (4-3 PHI)

Goaltending Matchup

PHI Ilya Bryzgalov 25 saves on 28 shots

PIT Marc Andre Fleury 22 saves on 26 shots