If Game 1 of the Battle for Pennsylvania is any indication, the Philadelphia Flyers should start booking May vacations now.

Sidney Crosby had a hat trick and Jake Guentzel finished with four points as the Pittsburgh Penguins notched a 7-0 blowout win over the Flyers in the opening game of their first-round matchup on Wednesday. 

Philadelphia never had a chance. Bryan Rust scored the game's first goal with only 2:38 off the clock, and Carl Hagelin and Evgeni Malkin added goals to make it 3-0 before the first intermission. Pittsburgh never looked back and dominated throughout, taking advantage of a Flyers goaltender situation that has been shaky all season.

Brian Elliott gave up five of the seven goals before being pulled in the second period in favor of Petr Mrazek. Crosby scored the final three goals of the game, including both off of Mrazek. It's the third postseason natural hat trick in Penguins history, joining Mario Lemieux (1989) and Kevin Stevens (1992).

The Penguins are attempting to make franchise history, as they enter the postseason looking to three-peat as Stanley Cup champions. They previously won back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992. No NHL team has three-peated since the New York Islanders won four straight between 1980 and 1983.

"We believe that we have a group that's capable, and we've shown we have an ability to have success in a high-stakes environment," coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. "The expectation within our room is we have the ability to compete. We know that it's hard. We know that we've got to go out and earn it each and every day, each and every game. That's where our mindset is."

Matt Murray got the playoffs started on a high note, making 24 saves to record a shutout. The Flyers attack didn't mount much of a threat, but Murray came through in the few good chances they did have to get on the board.

The teams will get together again Friday night for Game 2 in Pittsburgh.