Pens Fall Flat: Detroit Takes 3-2 Advantage

For the first part of the opening period I thought the the Pens were on track to take one in Detroit.  They were dominating play in a very fast-paced first period.  When Detroit’s Niklas Kronwall took a tripping penalty, I thought the Pens were poised to take this game over.  Unfortunately, momentum has a way of shifting the flow of a game.  Detroit did a marvelous job killing the Kronwall penalty.  This penalty kill, much like Staal’s shorthanded goal, changed the momentum of the game. Pittsburgh was never able to mount any kind of a comeback. It was all Detroit for the balance of the game.

Notes:

• The Penguins have to be able to put this game behind them.  They get to come home and play in front of what is hopefully a raucous home crowd and turn the series around again.  This is where true character is defined.  The Pens are going to have to really step up and send a similar message to Detroit as they head back to the “Joe” to determine the champion.