This time last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins found themselves outclassed, outplayed and outscored 7-0 heading back home facing a 2-0 series deficit during the 2008 Stanley Cup Final.

In 2009, the Pens have not been awestruck, outplayed Detroit for significant stretches and have been outscored 6-2 heading back home yet again facing a 2-0 series deficit.

So why is it despite a better showing by Pittsburgh on the ice, they still find themselves in the exact same situation?

There are a few reasons, but the most notable one is the play of Chris Osgood.

For the second consecutive game, Osgood was named the game’s #1 star as he turned away 31 of 32 Pittsburgh shots to lead the Wings to a 3-1 victory. With tonight’s triumph, Osgood improves his career record in the Stanley Cup Final to 10-2 with a 1.47 GAA, .937 save percentage and two shutouts in 13 appearances.

Once again, Osgood made several big stops including a beautiful toe save on Sidney Crosby to preserve a 3-1 lead late in the 3rd period. So long as Osgood continues to outplay Marc-Andre Fleury, the Penguins have no chances of winning four of the next five games vs. Detroit.

Speaking of Crosby, after a quiet first period, he was much better during the final 40 minutes, creating several scoring chances for his teammates, most notably Bill Guerin, who was unable to convert. In addition, he hit a post in the third period and then showed a great burst of speed beating Brian Rafalski before Chris Osgood was able to stick out his left toe to deny Crosby.

In addition to Osgood, there are other reasons for the Wings 2-0 series lead. How about the contributions from the “Grand Rapids Gang”?

Darren Helm – 22-10 (69%) in face-offs, 1 assist, series-high 15 hits and +1
Jonathan Ericsson – 1 goal, +2, averaging 16:30 minutes
Justin Abdelkader – 2 goals, 8-3 (73%) in face-offs, 8 hits and +2
Ville Leino – 1 assist and +1

However, one specific shift stands out in Game 2 as the turning point. After a quick start to the game jumping out to a 6-0 lead in shots, Detroit began getting outplayed by Pittsburgh, who finished the first period with a 1-0 lead after outshooting Detroit 11-1 the rest of the period.

Things looked to be staying the course early in the 2nd period as Pittsburgh continued to press and the Red Wings at times looked lifeless. Osgood came up with big saves on Tyler Kennedy and Evgeni Malkin. Immediately following that stop on "Geno", the Red Wings kept the puck in the offensive zone for close to a minute. The Filppula-Hossa-Holmstrom line buzzed around the Pittsburgh goal as Holmstrom, Kronwall and Hossa all were turned away by Marc-Andre Fleury.

The lengthy shift resulted in Pittsburgh icing the puck and having to keep their fatigued players on the ice. Unlike Game 1 where he decided to use his timeout, Coach Bylsma decided to let the Malkin line gut it out. Interestingly enough, Coach Babcock sent out the Helm line to attempt to take advantage of the tired Pens. Five seconds later it was a tied hockey game and Joe Louis Arena was once again re-energized.

The best part of the actual goal was the fact Helm won the face-off and headed straight to the goal to set the screen Jonathan Ericsson needed to beat Fleury and tie the game.

Nevertheless, it was the shift prior, including the big Osgood save and the Filppula line that ultimately got Detroit back into Game 2.


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Here’s a stat to chew on…the all-time record of home teams sweeping Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is 31-1 (.969). The only team to overcome such a deficit? The 1971 Montreal Canadiens, who defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games.

Now, I’m not saying this series is over. But I am not exaggerating when I say it is going to take a historical effort for Pittsburgh to win this series. That being said, whereas last season the Pens were almost embarrassed after their showing in the first two games, this season they can at least head back to the Igloo with a glimmer of hope that eventually the bounces will begin going their way.

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Although many of you have likely already heard this news, Evgeni Malkin is not going to be suspended for his instigator penalty and 10 minute misconduct in the final 5 minutes of the 3rd period.

According to Colin Campbell, “Suspensions are applied under this rule when a team attempts to send a message in the last five minutes by having a player instigate a fight,” Campbell said in a statement. “A suspension could also be applied when a player seeks retribution for a prior incident. Neither was the case here and therefore the one game suspension is rescinded."


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It's likely nothing, but I noticed Mikael Samuelsson did not return late in the 3rd period after getting his bell rung. I believe it was Jordan Staal who caught Samuelsson with a hit that sent "Sammy's" helmet flying. But at this stage, the Red Wings would prefer to avoid having to test their depth even more by losing another player to injury.


mark.spizzirri@hockeybuzz.com