The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a tough time keeping the puck out of their net, as of late. It never helps when the other team scores off their own players. Detroit beat Pittsburgh 5-4 in the last second of overtime on a goal that defined what this game was all about. Of the five goals Detroit scored, three came off Pittsburgh defensemen.
Daniel Alfredsson got the Red Wings on the board 7:21 into the first period. Johan Franzen found Alfredsson in the left wing circle who made a move around the defense a beat Marc-Andre Fleury with a wrist shot.
Gustav Nyquist added a power play tally later in the first period when his centering attempt down-low went off the stick of Rob Scuderi and behind Fleury.
The Penguins fought back in the period and scored three goals to take the lead before the second intermission.
Lee Stempniak redirected a shot by Chris Kunitz to get the Penguins on the board. Evgeni Malkin added a backhand goal and a power play tally two minutes apart to give Pittsburgh the lead.
In the third, the Penguins were given a power play mid-way through the period. But a questionable penalty on James Neal for clearing a loose stick lead to a four on four situation. Olli Maatta and Rob Scuderi collided in the neutral zone which created an odd-man rush for the Wings. Riley Sheahan went cross-ice to Tomas Tatar who slammed the puck into the net.
Todd Bertuzzi scored when he turned around and threw the puck towards the middle of the slot from the near boards. The puck bounced off of Maatta and into the net.
The Penguins tied the score when Brandon Sutter’s backhand pass from behind the net connected with Craig Adams in front.
David Legwand received a game misconduct late in the third when he hit Malkin in the midsection with the butt end of his stick. The Penguins received a five minute power play but couldnt convert in regulation or overtime.
In the dying seconds of overtime, the Red Wings scored to get a much-needed win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Alfredsson’s shot was stopped by Fleury but the rebound went off of Rob Scuderi and in the net with .4 seconds remaining on the clock.
Three Stars
- Daniel Alfredsson
- Evgeni Malkin
- Jimmy Howard
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
