The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers played the NHL’s first game since the league suspended the season on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Playing in a bubble in Toronto, the two cross-state rivals renewed their rivalry north of the border at Scotiabank Arena.
During the second period, the Penguins literally forgot how to hockey, as two full lines of players were on the ice at the same time.
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“Look at the change by the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Brian Boucher said. “I counted a lot more than five skaters at one point. It looked like half the team was on the ice.”
Boucher is correct. 10 Penguins skaters, literally half of the players that are allowed to dress, were all on the ice at the same time.
Penguins got their money’s worth on this too many men call. pic.twitter.com/zJ0MhhOgBt
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) July 28, 2020
And technically, it was 11 if you count the goalie.
The Flyers won the game 3-2 in overtime after Scott Laughton scored on a breakaway.
The PASS 💯
The FINISH 💯The game-winner for the @NHLFlyers. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/MwNn82LywX
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) July 28, 2020
Beyond the atrocious line change, the Penguins worst moment of the day was this Evgeni Malkin assist. That sounds great until you realize it was a pass directly to the Flyers’ Kevin Hayes in the slot.
.@KevinPHayes12 will take that one. 🚨@NHLFlyers | #StanleyCup
📺: NBCSN
💻: https://t.co/OSNEZVmLy7 pic.twitter.com/rXARNRTg91— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) July 28, 2020
Hockey is back, you guys, but it’s a lil’ sloppy and preseason-y.
Full game highlights
Screenshot via @JesseGranger_ and NBC Sports
