Penguins' Huge Surge Evens Finals

One poorly-timed screen could have been costly for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Surely, defenseman Sergei Gonchar and forward Bill Guerin weren't trying to stop Marc-Andre Fleury from seeing an early second-period shot by Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart. But that's exactly what they did. The Stuart shot found the back of the Penguin net, giving Detroit a 2-1 lead and, seemingly, all the momentum.

What happened after that could turn into a defining moment for this underdog Pittsburgh team.

Penguins 4, Red Wings 2: Recap | Box Score
Series tied 2-2

The game's turning point came about midway through the second period. A bit less than 50 seconds after Brooks Orpik took a tripping penalty behind the Pittsburgh net, Penguin forward Jordan Staal carried the puck into the Detroit zone against veteran defenseman Brian Rafalski. Staal used his size and strength to hold Rafalski off the puck, and was able to finish his glorious effort by beating Wings goaltender Chris Osgood to tie the game 2-2.

It was the start of an amazing turn in this game.

A team that had struggled mightily to score even-strength goals picked up a shortie to tie, and before the second was over, the Penguins scored two marvelous even-strength goals to take a two-goal lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Less than two minutes after Staal's remarkable goal, Evgeni Malkin blocked a shot at the Pittsburgh blue line, and ran the puck down to start a two-on-one with captain Sidney Crosby. Malkin waited until the last second before fluttering a perfect pass across the goalmouth to Crosby, who beat Osgood for his first goal of the series. How fitting that such a great play would be the game-winner.

Tyler Kennedy added an insurance goal for Pittsburgh, their third goal in 5:37 of the second period, thanks to great passing by Crosby and Chris Kunitz.

After Kennedy scored, it was up to Fleury and the defense. When called on, Fleury made some great saves. More importantly, the five guys not wearing goalie pads took great care of him in the third period. A late Detroit penalty prevented a Kunitz empty-netter, but basically ended what slim chance the Red Wings had to pull off a miracle comeback.

Now that it's a dead-even series at 2-2, we're guaranteed at least six games. Game 5 is Saturday night in Detroit, and the teams will get an extra day off before Game 6 Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

6-04-2009 @ 11:09PM

kfogs1957 said...

Boy that was a frustrated Red Wings team. For days I've seen many posts about the classy Red Wings skating away and not taking liberties. Not tonight. Gotta respect the Wings, but it sure is funny listening to their fans spout off about class and not playing cheap and then seeing some of the stuff that happened tonight. I realize you gotta do what you goota do to turn the tide, but don't act as if eveyone plays it cheap and you don't. Hossa's slash on Crosby, Cleary skating by the bench trying to elbow Crosby, Cleary tripping Orpik at the end, sounds like Detroit plays it just like everyone else does when the chips are down. By the way, there are 30 teams in the League, who annointed the Motor City Hockeytown anyway?? Great series, Great playoffs, game on!

Kris said...

So, How many wings fans still say wings in 5? Or did you do the cheesy thing and change it to 6? If you did what if penns win another? Wings in 7? And after that wings in 8? lol

6-05-2009 @ 1:37AM

motownkitty said...

We Detoiters will do whatever it takes to get the

job done done right and so will the Red Wings! We are a great team and we will win.

6-04-2009 @ 11:13PM

PS. McCreary not awarding a garbage time goal on an obvious open net in the last minute was gutless.Make the call ! The goal means nothing, but my god, how could that not be the call in that situation? The only reason he had one hand on the stick was becuase he was being hooked from behind, the defensemen was clearly beaten.

6-04-2009 @ 11:15PM

#1 Steeler Fan! said...

Woohoo, way to go Pens. That was one of the most awesome games so far. It sure looked like the old Detroit players were getting tired there. Lets hope that the younger Pens players keep up the momentum and beat them in Detroit.

6-04-2009 @ 11:37PM

bgth2 said...

Where are all the cocky wings fans now

6-05-2009 @ 1:40AM

We Wings fans are still here and ready to celebrate in Detroit where the Cup will stay.

6-05-2009 @ 2:40AM

Laun Weisel said...

RED WINGS fans are still here and the best is yet to come. Keep the Spirit!!!!!!!

6-05-2009 @ 12:04AM

I think they are elsewhere still complaining how the refs are biased toward Pittsburgh. They are poor sports when the Pens win. I saw on one sight where some Red Wing fan was still saying Wings in 5. I don't think they can count. I like how they were all saying how they were going to win it in 5 and now they are all silent, crying in their beer. Boo Hoo

6-05-2009 @ 12:28AM

billyp01 said...

wings in 6 or 7 still..you know how well you guys played the first two games when the wings have the last change..you got killed game 3 but won somehow.. im not a wings fan just a hockey fan..plus crosby and malkin will be too tired from banging each other to play well later on in the series

6-05-2009 @ 12:32AM

you are a moron

6-05-2009 @ 12:40AM

Joe said...

Hey Billy,
Just cause Hossa is tired from banging Z, don't think that stuff goes on in Pittsburgh. We aren't Homotown!

6-05-2009 @ 12:35AM

They will all be on tomorrow. Give them some time to watch the replay of the game. They have to do that so they can write down all the "non" calls the Pens got away with. It gives them stuff to whine about. OH wait, thats right. Wings fans don't whine. NOT!!!!

6-05-2009 @ 12:39AM

thetrutheh said...

well the wings have no one to blame but themselves. they lost because they did not take advantage of the powerplay when they had the opportunity. if they continue to play like they have this series is over in pittsburgh. the negative about the pens is their fans, they appear to be the most ignorant fans in the NHL.
we would have thought that since pittsburgh has been around since the late 1960's their fans would be knowledgeable about the game. not.

6-05-2009 @ 1:09AM

cjgdnight said...

4 goals to 2 goals.. what else do you have to know about the game?

wings lose one game and whine about non calls.. what else do you need to know?

wings lose two games and the wings fans say the pens fans don't know anything about anything... what ungracious folks you detroit fans are. bad winners and even worse losers... shame on you.

6-05-2009 @ 2:03AM

I wonder where Hossa will go next year in search of the CUP

6-05-2009 @ 2:56AM

shummey327 said...

i tell you what. i have read alot on here lately and as a Pens fan but a hockey fan, I believe this is a great series. better than last. ime the team loses their fans bitch. I do believe it is a great series. there are alot of bed non calls for both teams. GO PENS

6-05-2009 @ 3:12AM

psolo99 said...

Smell That Wings Fans?

smells like something died...

maybe its the octupus?

who knows?

6-05-2009 @ 5:54AM

Hay motownkitty after watching On The Fly after the game I just got to ask... Maltby hacking at Crosby's legs and trying to send him to the hospital when there was nothing else they could do, um is that what you meant by getting the job done right? Oh and before you say it, no not a pens fan. They have too much class to bring it up. But we Kings fans can tell it like it is. We ain't got a dog in the fight.

6-06-2009 @ 12:02AM

We play fair in Detroit. We don't have to fight dirty to win. The Wings are too good to do that.

It will be a hard fight, but the Wings will keep the Cup this year.