Red Wings Follow Familiar Formula, Go Up 2-0 in Finals

Echoing last year's Finals and mixing in some hints of Game 1, the Red Wings kept up the brand of hockey that took them to the title in 2008.

For the second consecutive year, Detroit has taken the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals against Pittsburgh. On Sunday, it was some of the lesser lights who gave the Red Wings a 3-1 victory at Joe Louis Arena, while on the other side, the Penguins' star player was silent.

Red Wings 3, Penguins 1: Recap | Box Score
Red Wings Lead Series 2-0

Sidney Crosby has yet to score a point in this series, just like last year, when Pittsburgh failed to record a goal in the first two games at Detroit. Evgeni Malkin, also a non-factor early in the 2008 series, did tally on Sunday, putting in the Penguins' only goal, with help from Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart. But Malkin might not be available for Game 3. He was assessed with an instigator penalty in the final 20 seconds on Sunday, pending a review by the league. (Update: The one-game suspension was rescinded late Sunday night, and Malkin will be available).

Pittsburgh went on the attack near the end of the first period, forcing the action, and the Penguins wound up on the power play with just under four minutes to go when Nik Kronwall was send to the box for cross-checking. After a shot by Sergei Gonchar, there was a massive scramble in front of the net, and the puck squirted free toward Malkin, who ripped it back the other way and wound up with the game's first goal with 3:10 remaining.

Stuart got a big break in scoring Detroit's first goal of the series in Game 1 with a bounce off the boards that banked off Marc-Andre Fleury. Stuart got a bad break in Game 2. Trying to wave the puck out of the crease after some furious action around the goal, Stuart inadvertently knocked Malkin's shot into the net.

Continuing a major theme of the postseason, Detroit's depth came to the fore. Rookie defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, four days removed from an appendectomy, blasted a shot from just inside the blue line after a Red Wings' faceoff win, tying the game with 15:39 left in the second period.

Just after a Wings' power play came to end halfway through the period, Valteri Filppula picked up a loose puck near the right post after Tomas Holmstrom had failed to stuff it in. Skating away from the net along the goal line and off balance, Filppula fired a backhand beauty past Fleury on the far side.

Latest NHL Images

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, of Russia, is led to the bench after he fought with Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg in the third period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals in Detroit, Sunday, May 31, 2009. Detroit won 3-1. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Linesman Jean Morin separates Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, left, of Russia, and Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg, right, of Sweden, after they fought in the third period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals in Detroit, Sunday, May 31, 2009. The Red Wings won 3-1.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood falls back after getting hit by the stick of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Maxime Talbot (2nd R) while Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg (R) watches during the third period in Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final hockey series in Detroit, Michigan, May 31, 2009. REUTERS/Jim McIsaac/Pool (UNITED STATES SPORT ICE HOCKEY)

Reuters

DETROIT - MAY 31: Marian Hossa #81 of the the Detroit Red Wings knocks down the puck in front of Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penugins during Game Two of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena May 31, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kris Letang;Marian Hossa

NHLI via Getty Images

DETROIT - MAY 31: Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for position against Niklas Kronwall #55 of the the Detroit Red Wings during Game Two of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena May 31, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Niklas Kronwall;Jordan Staal

NHLI via Getty Images

DETROIT - MAY 31: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins is beat for a goal by Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings during Game Two of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena May 31, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marc-Andre Fleury

NHLI via Getty Images

DETROIT - MAY 31: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins loses his stick as he attempts to make a save against the Detroit Red Wings during Game Two of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena May 31, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marc-Andre Fleury

NHLI via Getty Images

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury reacts to giving up a goal to the Detroit Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader during the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Red Wings defeated the Penguins, 3-1, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Sunday, May 31, 2009. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

MCT

The Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg (40) and Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin fight at the end of third period in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Red Wings defeated the Penguins, 3-1, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Sunday, May 31, 2009. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

MCT

The Detroit Red Wings' Mikael Samuelsson takes a hit from the Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Cooke during second period action in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Red Wings defeated the Penguins, 3-1, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, Sunday, May 31, 2009. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

MCT

Then, 2:47 into the third period, fourth liner Justin Abdelkader -- who had scored the Wings' third goal in Game 1 -- did so again on Sunday, taking the puck across the blue line, cutting left back across the middle and shooting around Rob Scuderi. Fleury couldn't come up with it, a soft goal that increased Detroit's advantage to two.

For the second game in a row, Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg wound up in an awkward position while helping goalie Chris Osgood. Less than two minutes into the third period, Crosby took a shot from the right of the net that hit off the far post and bounced back across the crease along the goal line without going in. Zetterberg, who dove to protect the puck when it wound up on Osgood's back on Saturday, plunged across the front of the net, behind Osgood, helping eliminate any possibility of a goal on the rebound. The play was reviewed, but it was clear that the puck never crossed the line.

Zetterberg and Malkin tangled in the final 20 seconds after an unsuccessful Penguins flurry while their own net was empty. Zetterberg has been a major factor in holding Crosby scoreless. Malkin was assessed the penalty for instigating.

Osgood stopped 31 of 32 shots. It was the first time the NHL has held back-to-back Finals game since 1955. The Red Wings have won four Stanley Cups in the past 12 years.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

5-31-2009 @ 11:49PM

claytor said...

Geez, where did the usual 73 comments by Pens fans go???

This ones going to be over quick.

5-31-2009 @ 11:53PM

oldmarbs said...

Were are all the bloogers that picked the Pens? LOL, eating crow I would imagine.............

6-01-2009 @ 12:02AM

hdekiere said...

They are all at 7-11 getting BOO-HOO rags for tuesdays game.

6-01-2009 @ 11:25AM

darci said...

Or the Pens fans were in bed sleeping since most of us are employed and get up early to go to work. And as far as Malkin not getting suspended, comments that said if it were a Redwing they would have been??? Are you kidding me. If Crosby would have covered a goal on Fleurys back pretty sute that would have been a penalty shot for the Wings....So lets ALL stop the whining. OK your up by 2, great job...early congrats if you win the cup, but pretty sure there are a few games left. Maybe Bylsma can teach Crosby to be a goalie like Zetterberg!.....

6-01-2009 @ 12:04AM

#1 Steeler Fan! said...

Why don't they just give the Red Wings the Cup now, the way the refs officiated this game. What a pathetic excuse of officiating. Even the announcers said that one goal should not have counted. There were numerous times they should have called a penalty against Detroit, like breaking a Penguins stick buy Hossa. I don't want to hear 1 Red Wing fan say the refs are for the Penguins after tonights debacle.

6-01-2009 @ 12:45AM

william said...

The ref's might not be fore the Pen's But the NHL sure is. Malkin should have gotten suspended for the fight he started, in the last min of play but NHL has already ruled he won't be. If had been one of the wings. He would have been.

6-01-2009 @ 12:06AM

whoops meant by not buy. And for you Detroit sissy's we are still here rooting on the better team all around The Penguins not Detroit

6-01-2009 @ 12:12AM

Better team all-around. Hmmm you must mean a team from another sport right? Surely you don't mean a team of flightless birds who can score goals to get to the finals but just can't seem to score them in the FINALS. WHINE, WHINE, WHINE,
Would you like some CHEESE to go with that WHINE?
BOO-HOO Keep crying until next year. It is not the year of the PENG-NO-WINS

6-01-2009 @ 1:22AM

Josh said...

Please, enlighten us to how the Pens are the better all around team? Have you forgotten that you are down 2-0 right now to a team that is without its best player/MVP finalist? Without one of the best faceoff takers in the league? Playing with their captain still injured. Their breakout defenceman coming off an emergency Appendectomy on Wednesday. Hossa has a hurt knee. The Penguins can't much up to a crippled Red Wings team, much less a full strength team.

And you can say what you want about the refs, the game was called evenly. Both teams got away with a bunch of crap that should have been called. I will admit though that the second goal (I believe, may have been the third. It's late) likely should not have counted due to an interference penalty that wasn't called but hey... the Penguins got away with the same crap and just weren't able to capitalize on it.

6-01-2009 @ 1:23AM

Ugh. Bad error.

"The Penguins can't match up to a crippled Red Wings team, much less a full strength team."

6-01-2009 @ 12:23AM

hdekiere, It's funny when people with no real defense to what a person says has to come back with childish mockings about their comments. Why don't you wait a while until you mature a little bit, then come back and have a reasonable discussion about hockey and not your dislike for cheese and "whine".

What do i have to defend? LMFAO. We won. That is that. All i ever read is how PENG-NO-WIN fans complain about this call or that no-call. You did it last year and your doing it again. Every PENG-NO-WIN fan seems to be the perfect referee or official. Answer one question for me then. How come your superstars always play good up until the finals? Superstars score points in the
finals, and if they don't they usually have a supporting cast that can pick up the slack in case they choke (hack hack) in the finals. Atleast we have more than 1 line that can play finals hockey in case our stars don't score.
Maybe next year Steeler fan but definately not this one.

6-01-2009 @ 1:01AM

You don't think Zetterbug should be penalized in game 1 and 2 for covering the puck either I guess. Pittsburgh is clearly the more talented team because they don't have to resort to cheating like the Red Wings do. The Penguins are a much classier team than that. Sure you won, but not on talent, on sheer dumb luck and no calls. You are blind if you cannot see what is going on in front of your face.

6-01-2009 @ 2:54AM

Youre totally right. Those cheating Wings, with their superior face off abilities, able to keep it in the zone long enough for "dumb luck" to take over!

Ive been blind all this time!!!

And classy? Really.

Im kinda wondering what class Satan was demonstrating there with the attempt to hold Henrik while Malkin flailed at him, hm? Or scrotepuncher Crosby. Yeah...stay classy, Pittsburgh, lol.

6-01-2009 @ 7:34AM

Okay if we won last night on sheer dumb luck and no talent, then what is your excuse for us beating you last year. You are so IGNORANT. It doesnt say too much for your PENG-NO-WINS if they are beaten by a no-talent team. The PENG-NO-WINS will never have the class or talent the wings have. You will never be in the playoffs 18 straight times or have as many Stanley Cups, or conference cups, or divisional wins.
What about the cheap shot by TALBOT at the end of the game? Or Suntan trying to hold "Z" while he was fighting Milkman? Now thats no-class wimpy crap. Typical of an inexpereinced team of babies.

6-01-2009 @ 1:27AM

kennethbramer said...

Can you say....BACK TO BACK !!!

6-01-2009 @ 2:51AM

Yes, the all around better team. indeed. a team that almost didnt make the playoffs, and settled for a middle of the road seed in the WEAKER conference, against a team that landed a two seed, and was a toss up as the best team this season between themselves and the perennial playoff failures, the San Jose Sharks.

One team who put all of its eggs in two baskets, cant play defense worth a shit, and makes a living on crying for wins, vs a team with some of the best euro talent ever scouted on a yearly basis, features the CLEANEST playing forward in the league, and boasts perhaps the best two way system any hockey fan has witnessed in a good decade.

Yes, the Pens are clearly head and shoulders the alllllllll around better team.

It doesnt matter how you win apparently, whining is er, winning. Same fans who constantly call for the heads of opposing players and beneficial suspensions wont call it against one of their own(twice now), no worries though, Hockeytown doesnt need Malkin to sit, the cups coming home regardless.

Better luck next year!

6-01-2009 @ 8:14AM

mor4u2day said...

Funny thing is all the Pens talking about what an old team Detroit is and how young their team is but the old guys even playing 2 nights in a row showed them up. Ha ha. I guess the geritol is working lol. Go wings

6-01-2009 @ 8:39AM

jayandtiti said...

Great 2 games, but there's alot of hockey still to be played. Detroit has been nothing but opportunistic have shown no skill, except on defense, and the only way they can score is by crashing the net, not shooting the puck. Detroit fans have booed and whined for penalties for the 1st 2 games, everything the Pens got away with so did the Wings. The only missed call in the 1st game the ref's missed was 1st period with 8:57 left an offside that was not called that's it, however the Wings can't take it when another team crashes their net,they are the KINGS of falling down,interference and holding the stick of their opponents, seems as though Detroit fans want their team treated as though they are in the ice capades but want every call to go their way.from a game breakdown point of view game 1: 6-interference no calls, 3-slash no calls, game 2 was even worse 8-interference and 6 slash no calls, that's minute by minute breakdown like a coach would do studying another team. so keep crying about the "cheating ref's" when you've gotten all the calls so far(probably cause youre the home team just like i'm sure the pens will get) we'll see if the Pens can get back into this series but 1st they gotta get Fluery to stop floppin around like a fish and staying square with the puck in front of him, so far it's Fluery who has lost the games for the Pens, and costly goals from turnovers, Detroit has really shown no skill shot wise but as i said before they are cannot be denied, Fluery needs top step up and that's the only way the Pens can get back into it.

6-01-2009 @ 8:44AM

and Malkin wasn't suspended because he only fought, as i said detroit HATES it when you crash their net!!! they got huffy and puffy because the game was over in their eyes and the Pens should not have crashed their net so they took offense and the fight started with Crosby and someone else and Malkin interjected and wound up fighting too. there was no malicious intent just with seconds on the clock the Pens didn't stop and give up.wha wha he needs to be suspended for hurtin our ice capade boys. binky time

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