Posted by Scott Burnside
PITTSBURGH -- So, just checking, but who was supposed to be the dominant goalie in this Eastern Conference finals?
With one period in the books and the Pittsburgh Penguins enjoying a 2-0 lead, the early lead in the battle between Marc-Andre Fleury and Cam Ward definitely goes to Fleury.
The Penguins' goaltender made a handful of sparkling saves as he turned aside all 12 Canes shots in the first period. First, he stoned Chad LaRose on a short-handed chance, then robbed Tuomo Ruutu with a glove save while the Hurricanes were on the power play. He denied Joe Corvo, who had a great chance when the rebound of an Eric Staal shot came to him at the side of the net, but Fleury got across to make the save.
Fleury also blocked a dangerous Staal shot later in the period and stopped another LaRose chance at the side of the net with his blocker. Whew. And wasn't he supposed to be the weak link in this Penguins' team, especially facing Ward, newly anointed by the media as a top candidate to be the starting goaltender for the 2010 Canadian Olympic team?
Speaking of the Staal brothers, Eric and Jordan lined up for the opening faceoff of the series, and it looks as if Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma likes the matchup of Jordan Staal, Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke against Eric Staal, Scott Walker and Ray Whitney.
Best player on the ice so far? Well, Fleury. But Evgeni Malkin is flying, and his line (Ruslan Fedotenko and Maxime Talbot) has been dominant. The Canes don't have an answer for them and were fortunate Malkin scored only once in the first period. His quick backhand shot seemed to handcuff Ward as it beat him under his right arm.
The Malkin goal came just 1:24 after Miroslav Satan scored on a breakaway upon exiting the penalty box -- he made a nice move with a quick fake shot, then a deke that froze Ward. Satan has five points in his past five games. Not bad for a guy the Penguins dumped to the minors at the trade deadline.
Sidney Crosby won four of six faceoffs in the first period.
Back with more after the second period!
ESPN.com Stanley Cup playoffs blog
