Jordan Staal’s 17th goal of the season, and second in three games since returning from injury on Feb. 11 has given the Penguins a 1-0 lead over the Anaheim Ducks after one period of play.

Staal took control of the puck on the right wing of the neutral zone after a simple chip up the boards from Pascal Dupuis, carried the biscut into the offensive zone and and beat Hiller with a sharp wrist shot.

The Penguins out shot the Ducks 13-8 in a period that was typified by fast, clean play and occasional highlights of offensive from a bristling Penguin offense.

One surprising statistic, almost to the point of anomaly, is an absurd 15-4 hit advantage for the Ducks over the Penguins, particularly surprising considering the Penguins’ typical physicality.