PITTSBURGH, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Sergei Bobrovsky protected a one-goal lead for the final 15 minutes Thursday and the Philadelphia Flyers opened the season with a 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh.
The result spoiled the regular-season unveiling of Pittsburgh's new arena, Consol Energy Center. Since entering the league 43 years ago, the Penguins had played at Mellon Arena -- known in the world of hockey as "The Igloo."
Bobrovsky made his NHL debut, having won the starting job after Michael Leighton injured his back in the preseason. The rookie goaltender made 29 saves and was perfect down the stretch while the Flyers were hanging onto their narrow lead.
Claude Giroux gave Philadelphia a 3-1 advantage by scoring shorthanded 4:55 into the third period, but Alex Goligoski brought Pittsburgh back within one only 19 seconds later.
Philadelphia got first-period goals from Blair Betts and Danny Briere.
The teams have combined to win the last three Eastern Conference titles. The Flyers lost to Chicago last season in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves as he started his seventh season for the Penguins.
