Pens Even the Series Up with 4-2 Victory at Mellon Arena

Could it be that the Penguins have “broken” another goaltender.  Eight times in the eighteen playoff games that Osgood has played, he has let in a goal or less.  This includes games 1 and 2 against the Pens where he allowed just one goal in each game.  In the last two games Pittsburgh has found the back of the net eight times.  This seems to be a recurring plot for the Penguins; unhinging hot goalies.

The atmosphere in the Mellon Arena was awesome last night.  The crowd was buzzing all night.  There were times when the noise was deafening.  There was a tremendous feeling in the parking lots before the game.  There was great celebration after the game.  Kudos to those people who come down to watch the games on the Jumbotron outside the arena.  This was a very exciting game to watch.

The Pens took an early lead in the first period on a power play goal by Evgeni Malkin.  It was very important for the Penguins to get the first goal.  It is very difficult to play from behind against the Detroit system.  Close to the end of the first period, Detroit scored a goal to even it up at 1.  46 seconds into the second period, the Red Wings score again and suddenly it feels like maybe this thing is slipping away.  I do have to say that the crowd stayed very positive.  There was not an overwhelming sense of worry when Detroit took the lead.

Later in the second period, Detroit had an opportunity to put this game (and quite possibly) the series away.  The Red Wings were given back to back power plays.  They had just under four minutes of man-advantage time to put the game away.  As it turned out, this four minute stretch may have become the pivotal point for the Penguins.  Jordan Staal seized an opportunity, while short handed, to score a goal. Pittsburgh went on to kill both power plays and the momentum was in Pittsburgh’s favor.

The Penguins used this momentum to score two more times in just under 6 minutes and get the all-important two goal lead.  Detroit seemed to be a beaten team at that point.  The Pens went on to win the game 4-2.  If the Pens go on to win the Stanley Cup, Staal’s short-handed goal could be the defining moment of this series.

Notes:

• Once again the Penguins were outshot and won the game.
• Fleury was awesome in this game.  He allowed just two goals on 39 shots.  This is two games in a row where he has been fantastic.  No soft goals in two games, as well.
• It was so nice to see Tyler Kennedy score a goal last night.  He has been playing so well, but not scoring goals.
• Everyone played well in this game.  Although, Detroit had some stretches where they kept the puck in our zone, it didn’t seem like they were generating a ton of real good scoring opportunities.
• The Pens, on the other hand, had a ton of real good scoring opportunities.
• The Penguin’s special teams have been tremendous.  Tonight the PP went 1-3.  For the series they are 4-9.
• How cool was it to see the Pens play keep away for the last 45 seconds or so?

This was a great game and should give the Penguins some real momentum as they head back to Detroit for Game 5.