Penguins shutout Islanders in Game 1

The Pittsburgh Penguins faced off against the N.Y Islanders in their first round playoff series.  Just a month ago, Team Captain Sidney Crosby suffered a broken jaw in a game against the Islanders and he did not return for Game 1 tonight.  Beau Bennett made the first goal for the Penguins, 1-0.  With the N. Y Islanders goaltender far out of the net Pascal Dupuis followed up a goal with another goal, 2-0 the Penguins lead. At the beginning of the second period the Penguins, who were already running away with the game, had a two man advantage as Christopher Letang shot and scored, 3-0. This game was over at the beginning of the second period as Letang just secured a major lead for the Penguins.  As the Islanders got back to full strength on the ice the Penguins scored again curtsey of Dupius, his second score of the game as the Penguins ran up the score 4-0. The N.Y Islanders made a goaltender change less than 5 minutes into the second period, in the hopes of salvaging Game 1 of the series. Regardless of the goaltender, Letang scored again for the Penguins, soon there after Letang got sent to the box giving the N.Y Islanders their second power play opportunity as they trailed 5-0. Nothing materialized during their man advantage for the Islanders as they struggled in every zone. The fans chanted Marc Andre Fluery’s name during the second period, as the game appeared to be going in the direction of a shut out for the Penguins. James Neal, who was just back from a concussion, limped off the ice after a major hit and did not return to the game.  The Penguins dominated the Islanders with deadly power plays and their consistent play despite injuries will be the key that will lead them to the Stanley Cup.  The Islanders took too many penalties and need to gain more control if they plan on being competitive in this series. From the looks of how the Penguins played tonight they will win the series by game 4 and have some rest before they cruise into Round 2 of playoffs. There is still hockey to be played; the Penguins have taken a 1-0 lead in this best of seven series against the Islanders.