NHL: Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 2

PITTSBURGH, May 9 (UPI) -- The first of two goals by Evgeni Malkin Friday helped the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Philadelphia 4-2 in Game 1 of the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals.

The goal, with seven seconds left in the first period, gave Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead. Malkin also scored short-handed at 4:50 of the second.

The winners' Sidney Crosby scored at 14:11 of the second to create a 2-2 tie. Petr Sykora scored the game's first goal at 6:19 of the first after assists by Ryan Malone and Malkin.

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves on 26 shots for the second-seeded Penguins, who are back home for game 2 Sunday night.

Mike Richards scored both Philadelphia goals in the first period and goalie Martin Biron was beaten four times on 21 shots.

The sixth-seeded Flyers won the season series with Pittsburgh 5-3 but will not have top defenseman Kimmo Timonen for this best of seven showdown because of a blood clot in his left ankle.

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