It was business per usual for the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The team did not even need a big game from captain Sidney Crosby in order to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. The team looks to keep momentum going and get a second win at home while hoping that Crosby can find the goal.
Crosby garnered most of the defensive attention in Game 1. Columbus forward Brandon Dubinsky kept Crosby in check while on the ice although he did managed to get an assist on a power-play goal in the second period. The lack of productivity from Crosby was no issue for the Penguins, but could become something more if it keeps up down the road.
Pittsburgh's biggest issue is not Crosby, but goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. The veteran is under a microscope this season after he had back-to-back seasons of meltdowns that caused Pittsburgh's early exits. He gave up three goals in the first 21 minutes of Game 1, but pulled things together for the remaining 40 minutes.
Most of Pittsburgh's marquee players were not an issue in Game 1. All goals came from players outside of the Big Four, Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Kunitz and James Neal. The Penguins ran with their depth as center Brandon Sutter got his first playoff goal despite looking bad in his first two seasons with the team.
The Blue Jackets are hoping to get a boost once forward RJ Umberger returns to the ice. He missed the past two weeks thanks to an upper body injury, but is expected to be back for Game 2 in hopes of plulling things together. Columbus is hoping to keep up another fast start and get Pittsburgh on their heels.
