PITTSBURGH -- For the first time since Mario Lemieux's heyday 16 years ago, the Penguins are going to the Stanley Cup Finals -- and, fittingly, a Pittsburgh guy helped them get there.

Upper St. Clair native Ryan Malone scored his fifth and sixth goals of the playoffs, and assisted on another one by Evgeni Malkin, as the Pens beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-0 Sunday, winning the Eastern Conference finals, four games to one.

Video: Post-Game Comments From Malone, Crosby, Hossa, Staal
Video: Guy Junker's Videoblog From Mellon Arena
Video: Pens Fans Pumped For Stanley Cup Finals

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury recorded his third shutout and 12th win of the playoffs -- he leads the NHL in both categories -- as the Pens earned their first trip to the Cup finals since 1992.
(Read The Full Game Recap Here)

A standing-room-only crowd watched the game inside Mellon Arena, while a couple thousand more fans who didn't have tickets enjoyed it on a giant screen outside Gate 3, then celebrated on the Igloo lawn.

Pittsburgh's opponent for the Stanley Cup will either be the Detroit Red Wings or the Dallas Stars from the Western Conference. Detroit leads Dallas in the Western finals, three games to two.

If the Red Wings play the Pens, home-ice advantage in the series will go to Detroit. But if it's Pittsburgh vs. Dallas, the Pens will be the higher-seeded team and will host the first two games at Mellon Arena.

How important is home ice? So far in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Pens are undefeated in eight games at Mellon Arena.

Because Pittsburgh beat the Flyers, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter must make good on a bet to wear a Pens sweater for a day and drop a ceremonial puck during a game at Mellon Arena next season.

Also, the Philadelphia Zoo has agreed to send 12 Philly cheese steaks, pretzels and Hires Root Beer to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

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The Fans Are Talking

Here's what you're saying about the Pittsburgh-Philadelphia series on ThePittsburghChannel.com's message board:

joebobby1 says, "Sorry Philly crybabies, this isn't your year. The Pens are BETTER on offense and defense. So Philly, get out your golf clubs. So long suckers."

kelster24 says, "IT'S THE PENGUINS ALL THE WAY BABY! Like it or not Flyers fans!"

FluffyKat says, "LET'S GO PENS! Sincerely, a happy Pittsburgh girl married to a disgruntled Philadelphia fan."

You can add your comments here.

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Who's Hot?

Pens captain Sidney Crosby leads the NHL in playoff scoring with 21 points on four goals and 17 assists.

Malkin and Marian Hossa are tied for second place with 19 points (nine goals and 10 assists each).

Malone has also been a scoring threat with 14 points (six goals and eight assists).

Fleury has allowed just 24 goals in 14 games. Only Detroit's Chris Osgood has a better goals-against average.