Penguins cruise past Islanders in 5-0 win, and start push in emphatic fashion.
Despite the prolonged absence of Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins began their NHL Playoffs campaign with a 5-0 win over the New York Islanders.
Pascal Dupuis scored twice while Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves as the top-seeded Penguins opened the post season with a comfortable and dominant victory.
Two goals in the first period gave them a cushion before adding another three in the second period, and having taken a commanding lead they cruised through the third and held on their lead.
Fleury earned his sixth-career playoff shut-out, providing the solid platform for Pittsburgh to deliver offensively and seal a win which gives them the lead in the opening round series.
The one-sided win may well have sent a clear message to the rest of the playoff field that the Penguins are ready to live up to expectations this season, but it was a disappointing return to the post season for New York who are in the playoffs for the first time in six years.
Unfortunately for Islanders supporters, they showed little to suggest that they can make an impact in this series and progress any further, but will undoubtedly hope to compete better across the next three games at least.
Having bolstered the roster with the acquisitions of the likes of Jussi Jokinen and Brenden Morrow, Pittsburgh have looked untroubled thus far by the absence of Crosby. However, as the post season moves on, they will be an even more dangerous outfit when he returns as they go in search of a Stanley Cup triumph.
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