Penguins vs. Flyers: Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis from Game 4

The Pittsburgh Penguins are not going to go quietly into that good night. On the brink of elimination, the Pens destroyed the the Philadelphia Flyers, 10-3, Wednesday in front of the Flyers' own fans. 

This win ensures that Pittsburgh will be around for at least one more game, as the series now stands at 3-1 in favor of the Flyers. 

As you might imagine, with a score like that, Pittsburgh was dominant in this game. They were aggressive and efficient, and only a few minutes had expired off the clock after the first period when the outcome of this game was no longer in doubt. 

Pittsburgh won the second period, 5-0, and that was all she wrote. 

Tweets of the Night

Typically, the tweets of the night contain a bit of analysis on the game. However, there is not much to critique about this game. 

It was just an old-fashioned blowout. Philadelphia will try to forget about it and move on. And while this kind of game is not conducive to insightful tweets, it is good for funny ones. 

Bill Watson's confusion here is understandable:

"

Steelers lead Eagles 10-3 mid 4th qtr., Ben Roesthlerberger with a TD pass..... Oh wait....this is the Penguins-Flyers hockey score, my bad

— Bill Watson (@billallooo) April 19, 2012"

The Twitter Happy Gilmore put the scoring output into a humorous, albeit not quite true, perspective.

"

Pittsburgh Penguins now have 10 goals tonight. 2 more than the Columbus Blue Jackets scored this season.

— Happy Gilmore (@_Happy_Gilmore) April 19, 2012"

This tweeter is obviously having a hard time coming to grips with the zany reality that is this series.

"

You could tell me that in game 5 of the Flyers / Pens series, aliens will land at centre ice and do the macarena and I would believe it

— TH2NSTATSGUY (@TH2NSTATSGUY) April 19, 2012"

Must-See Highlight of the Night

With the blowout and all the goal scoring, it can be easy to forget just how chippy things have gotten in this series. Here is a good reminder. 

Grades for Key Penguins

Sidney Crosby: B+

All eyes were on Sid the Kid for this contest after he spent the majority of Game 3 seeking out fights.

It was safe to wonder if he would get back to focusing on scoring, or if he would begin a new career as an enforcer.

He wasted no time showing he would be all about scoring. He assisted on the Pens' second goal and scored their third. He tacked on another assist later in the game.

Marc-Andre Fleury: B-

Fleury is hard to grade here, since he played the majority of the game with a huge lead. He wound up with a solid save percentage, but he did allow three first-period goals. 

His team will not survive another effort like that. 

Jordan Staal: A

Staal netted himself a hat trick in this contest, and his first goal allowed Pittsburgh to take a 4-3 lead into the second period. 

He tacked on his two other goals in the Penguins' dominant second period. 

Grades for Key Flyers

Claude Giroux: B-

Giroux scored just 1:14 into this game. At that moment, people in Philly were getting out the brooms. That was not to be, and neither were any more goals from Giroux. 

He tacked on another assist, but couldn't find the net again. 

Ilya Bryzgalov: F

He gave up five goals on 18 shots and was pulled. What else needs to be said? 

Jaromir Jagr: C-

Jagr never really seemed to get into the flow of this game and plain disappeared for long stretches. He fired off four shots, but didn't connect on any of them. He did notch an assist, though. 

Stat of the Night: 10

This is an obvious choice for stat of the night. It is the number of goals that Pittsburgh racked up...in one game!

That is a road-playoff record for Pittsburgh, and it tied the most goals they have ever scored in any away game. 

Game MVP: Jordan Staal

A hat trick in an elimination game will get you MVP honors almost every time. Staal began the obliteration with his first goal that ended the first period. 

That score seemed to set the tone and open up the floodgates for the decisive second period. 

What's Next

Having staved off elimination, the Penguins must turn around and do it again on Friday. They will be at home for that game, with a chance to send the series to a Game 6, which would be in Philadelphia on Sunday.