Down 2-0 to Flyers in NHL playoffs, Crosby, Penguins remain hopeful

April 21 (UPI) --Sidney Crosby remains hopeful his Pittsburgh Penguins can climb out of an 0-2 hole to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in a first-round playoff series.

Crosby commented on series struggles after the Flyers beat the Penguins 3-0 in Game 2 on Monday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins outshot the Flyers 45-43, but were outhit 88-73 through the first two meetings of the best-of-seven game series. The Flyers also held a 37-17 advantage in blocked shots.

The Penguins haven't held a lead so far this postseason.

"I think we've been in some tough spots all year," Crosby told reporters. "We've always responded really well to adversity. It seems like it's brought out the best in all of us.

"I think that getting on the road and having a situation like this hopefully brings out the best in us again here."

Crosby, who didn't record a point through the first two games, said the Penguins failed to capitalize on their "looks around the net." He also cited power play struggles.

"You've got to focus on the next one," Crosby said. "Win or lose, that's always the approach. Given the fact that we lost two here, we've gotta find a way to take Game 3 and get some momentum back."

The Penguins were 0 for 7 on power plays through the first two games. They converted 24.1% of their attempts -- the seventh-best rate in the NHL -- during the regular season.

"Playoffs aren't easy," Crosby said. "That's the way it is sometimes. It doesn't always go your way, especially here at home. We would've liked to get at least one, but obviously both. But it didn't happen. We've got to find a way to regroup and be better for Game 3 and get the next one."

Crosby said he hopes the Penguins "can feed off of" their play in the third period of Game 2, when they outshot the Flyers 13-6. Coach Dan Muse said Pittsburgh needs to get more pucks inside and improve on "little things" to create quality chances.

"They should be frustrated," Muse said. "They just lost two games at home. I think with frustration, though comes, how are we going to respond? ... Nobody is happy right now. Nobody should be.

"We are going to have to make a decision in terms of, are we going to stay with it? Stay with what we want to do? Get to our game, which we haven't gotten to in two games? Or are we going let frustration continue to boil over into the next one. That's going to be a choice we make together."

Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar made 27 saves in his Game 2 shutout. Forward Garnet Hathaway logged a goal and an assist for the Flyers.

The Penguins will take on the Flyers in Game 3 at 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Philadelphia.

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