PENGUINS PLAYOFF NOTEBOOK – APRIL 22, 2017

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith may have been on the wrong side of a 2-1 decision in Game One against the Providence Bruins, but that’s not to say the American Hockey League’s regular season leader in goals against average played poorly.

In fact, DeSmith turned aside 31 shots on Friday night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, only surrendering a pair of power play goals in the playoff opener for the Pens.

“I felt good.  I felt confident like I have been the past few weeks of the season. I just hope to keep it going,” said DeSmith.  “I thought we played pretty well.  Both teams had their chances.  Their power play, they executed and got some nice goals.

“Game Two, the penalty kill’s going to have to be a bit better here.  Hopefully we can put a few more pucks past [Providence goaltender Zane] McIntyre.”

The Pens had posted four consecutive playoff wins over the P-Bruins before the defeat on Friday night.  But the team won’t have long to dwell on the loss, as Game Two takes place with an early 3:05pm puck drop on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s nice that we don’t have to wait a week,” said DeSmith.  “We can get right back after it tomorrow and hopefully pick up the win.”

GAME ONE NOTES

• The Penguins and Bruins have faced off in 18 postseason contests all-time, and 10 of those have been one-goal games, including the past five in a row.
• The Penguins are now 1-3 in Game Ones against the Bruins, with the lone win coming in last season’s series.
• The Penguins are now 5-4 in postseason games played in Providence.  They have outscored the Bruins 31-27 in those contests.
• The Penguins overall record in Game One of a playoff series fell to 17-21 all time, including 9-13 on the road.
• The Penguins are 7-9 in Game Ones of the first round of the playoffs.
• Brett Stern and Jarrett Burton each made their Calder Cup Playoff debuts in Game One.
• Jean-Sebastien Dea’s goal in Game One was his first career Calder Cup point, and came in his 15th postseason game.

The Penguins and Bruins Face off in Game Two of the  Atlantic Division Semifinal series Sunday afternoon at 3:05pm at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence.

The series switches to Wilkes-Barre for Game Three on Thursday, April 27 at 7:05pm.  Individual tickets for Game Three are available at the Mohegan Sun Arena box office, by calling 570-208-7367, or online at TicketMaster.com.

For information on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins playoff packages, which include a $6 food voucher for every game, just fill out the form below and we will get back to you shortly.