A poor defensive performance and an impressive game from Tuukka Rask doomed Pittsburgh in Game 1, as the Penguins fell 3-0 to the Bruins.
The tone for the game was set early. That tone was "ugly." The two clubs decided to shake off their rust by smashing each other into the boards as often as they could. Boston eventually broke through in the first period when David Krejci's shot trickled through Tomas Vokoun's five-hole. It was unspectacular, but the Bruins took the lead nonetheless.
The physicality ramped up in a scoreless second period. Matt Cooke was ejected for a hit on Adam McQuaid, and Brad Marchand was penalized for an equally questionable hit on James Neal later in the period. Both squads seemed to make punishing each other their top priority, even after the period ended.
Their composure lost, the Penguins couldn't regroup in the third. The period opened with Evgeni Malkin and Patrice Bergeron in the box for five minutes for fighting. Malkin's loss hindered the Penguins, who were already struggling to break through against Rask. Boston took advantage and turned some hard forechecking into their second goal of the game.
Nathan Horton made it 3-0 with a goal three minutes later, sealing the Game 1 win for Boston.
Will Tomas Vokoun continue his incredible playoff run?
No. But to be fair, not many goalies would play very well behind the kind of defense Pittsburgh threw out there on Saturday. Kris Letang had perhaps his worst game of the playoffs in his own end (which is saying something) and the rest of the Pens' blueline was less than stellar as well. Vokoun isn't without blame, though. His rebound control was suspect and resulted in plenty of chances for Boston. He'll need to bounce back in Game 2.
How much of an offensive series will this be?
A one-sided offensive series, for now. Boston's superb forechecking resulted in three goals, but the Penguins had no answer for Tuukka Rask despite putting 29 shots on net. Does this mean the Penguins have run out of steam? Not at all. Rask simply played well. Expect Pittsburgh to regroup and refocus their attack.
Can Boston beat Pittsburgh's superb special teams?
The penalty kill? No. The Pens stopped all four Boston power plays with relative ease. But the Penguins were equally as inefficient on their four power plays.
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