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

Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) holds back Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) after fighting with center Sidney Crosby (87) in the first period of a first-round playoff series Monday in Pittsburgh. . Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

"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.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby reacts after Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny pushes him during the third period of Game 2 of a first-round playoff series Monday in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

"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.

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Garnet Hathaway (C) celebrates a short-handed goal in the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game 2 of a first-round playoff series Monday in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

"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.

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar makes a glove save during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game 2 of a first-round playoff series Monday in Pittsburgh. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

"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.