Penguins 4, Flyers 3

Great win by the Pens today. They seemed to have turned the corner, beating another Atlantic division foe.

Notes version of the recap today, since I typed while I watched the game.

First period

Umberger is the bane of the Penguins. He was the beneficiary of a deflected pass. Truthfully, Ryan Whitney was beat to the spot by RJ. Whitney needs to take the man.

Downie needs to work on his conditioning. He's obviously too tired to bother to finish a fight with Jarkko Ruutu.

Steigy-ism of the day, talking about Malkin: "He is a super duper star".

Great shot from Sykora to find the top corner on his goal. Did anyone else think he sounded like an auctioneer when he was interviewed after the period?

Second period

Great goal by Gonchar, though Biron really should have made the save on that one. I'm sure Sarge won't complain that it went through. It was the ultimate thank you for the really stupid roughing penalty taken by Hartnell.

Things were real quiet in the second. It almost seemed like these teams enjoyed each other's company.

Malkin reminds us again that he's one of the best in the league with a great shot off of a feed from Sykora. The first line is really clicking.

How were there no penalties in the second period? These guys all turned into angels.

Third period

Umberger reminds the Pens that the Flyers aren't dead yet. He pulled the Flyers to within one goal with a great effort, following his shot (and great Conklin save) with another shot that was out of Conk's reach.

The Pens were doing their best to put the clamps on the Flyers when all of a sudden, the Pens were buzzing. Letang took a loose puck out high, skated down and used Hatcher as a screen, beating Biron in the top corner on the far side.

Malkin tried to let the Flyers back in the game, picking up the puck with his hand in the defensive zone after his stick broke. That wasn't terribly bright, because it resulted in a Flyer's power play. Staal helped him out, however, by drawing the even-up call on a blatant hook by Timmonen.

The Flyers pulled the game to within 4-3 when Conklin's stick was caught in the Zamboni door. He was trying to play the puck on the backhand, and the result was it bounced straight to Mike Richards, who fed Hartnell.

Conklin played well again. He made the saves he was supposed to make and kept the Flyers from completing the comeback in the third period.

It didn't matter, as the Pens weathered the storm and beat the Flyers for the first time this season. They're three points ahead of Jersey in the Atlantic, and just three points behind Ottawa for the top spot in the East.

Next up: Boston comes to the Igloo on Wednesday night.