Penguins beat Flyers 4-1, lead series 3-0

The Penguins took a commanding three-games-to-none lead in the Eastern Conference final by stifling the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, tonight at the Wachovia Center. The Penguins are 11-1 in the postseason and can eliminate Philadelphia and secure a spot in the Stanley Cup final as early as Thursday night, when Game 4 will be played here.

The Penguins took an early 2-0 lead and looked as if they might have gotten Flyers goaltender Martin Biron off his game. Defenseman Ryan Whitney scored from the slot during a power play at 5:03 of the first period, and Marian Hossa made it 2-0 at 7:41, also from the slot. Sidney Crosby got assists on both. 

Philadelphia cut the deficit in half when Plum native R.J. Umberger slid the puck under goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury at 10:59 of the first period.

After a scoreless second period, Penguins winger Ryan Malone made it 3-1 when he beat Biron with a backhand shot at 9:58 of the third period. Marian Hossa added an empty-net goal.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/08134/881503-100.stm