The Pens took the first round of what is sure to be a hotly contested season series with the Caps.  We were there, camera in hand as usual.  Check out our photos after the jump.  I can't wait for round 2 in this series, now 8 days away.

I find that the lighting at Verizon Center, always on the poor side, has somehow managed to get worse.  That ruined a lot of my shots, so the pickings are a little slim this time around.  Enjoy! 

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

No doubt Fleury was one of the big stories of this game.  The Caps dominated for long stretches and Flower kept us in it, never allowing the Caps to get a lead (other than 1-0 in the shootout).  Anyway, this was my best photo of the night, I think, so I might as well lead with it.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

We didn't need a Winter Classic tractor-trailer parked out front to remind us that this was just a prelude to the big game on January 1st.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

As usual, Sid had his fans...

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

and the other side....

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

I thought I spotted Coach Boudreau in the stands...

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

Hey, it's those wacky Crosby fans again.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

Craig Adams, doing what Craig Adams does.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

The Pens drew first blood on Crosby's first period deflection of a Kris Letang shot.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

The old reversible t-shirt with the other guy's name on the back trick, eh?

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

Mike Green's hook (above) on Geno's second period breakaway lead to this penalty shot:

Later in the period the Caps got this 5-on-3 opportunity. They would eventually score just after the first penalty expired (not included in the video):

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

The Pens came out strong in the third and regained the lead on a Crosby-assisted goal by Chris Kunitz.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

Haha, brave kid!

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

The Caps once again tied the game, this time on a shorty by Mike Knuble.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

Fleury made a beautiful save on Mike Green's overtime chance.  The play was reviewed but the call on the ice stood.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps

The Pens prevailed in the shootout on the strength of goals by Letang and Dupuis, not to mention a string of saves by Fleury after surrendering a goal to Ovechkin, the Caps first shooter. Check out the video below.

From 2010-12-23 Pens @ Caps