After dropping the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals at home in embarrassing fashion, the Pittsburgh Penguins played, arguably, their most focused game of the playoffs.
Unfortunately, Tuukka Rask made 53 saves, setting up Patrice Bergeron’s game winner with under five minutes remaining in double overtime.
Thanks to Rask, and a handful of shots that hit the posts, the Penguins have been pushed to the brink of elimination without winning a single game in the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
This isn’t exactly what the Penguins signed up for when they took the top seed in the Eastern Conference, nor was it thought of when they acquired Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Douglas Murray and Jussi Jokinen at the trade deadline. Yet, here they are, down 0-3 to a veteran team with a strong defensive back bone.
Game 4 is Friday night.
Dan Bylsma scratched Jussi Jokinen in favor of rookie Beau Bennett and put him on a line with Brandon Sutter and Jarome Iginla. In turn, Matt Cooke jumped up to the second line to play with James Neal and Evgeni Malkin.
Less than two minutes in, the line combinations seemed to be a dud as Boston scored right away. David Krejci took the puck from behind the Penguins’ net and fired a shot that ricocheted off of Matt Niskanen’s skate and past goaltender Tomas Vokoun.
As the game progressed, the Penguins started to take the fight to Boston. The Bruins committed four consecutive penalties but the Penguins were unable to score. They did, however, get a goal to knot the game up at one mid way through the second period.
Sidney Crosby won an offensive zone face off and Paul Martin took the puck. Martin cut towards the cage on a sharp angle and backhanded a perfect pass to Chris Kunitz in front who buried the puck over Rask’s right shoulder.
The Penguins dominated the third period, outshooting Boston 14-4 despite committing three penalties. But Tuukka Rask stood tall and the Penguins were unable to beat the Finnish goaltender.
In overtime, the Bruins pushed Pittsburgh on their heels. Nathan Horton hit a post, and the Penguins were forced to ice the puck several times. Jarome Iginla had an excellent chance in front but was stick checked away by Rask at the last second.
In the second overtime, Craig Adams hit the post off a one-timer.
Sidney Crosby had an excellent chance in front but, again, was denied.
Jaromir Jagr hooked up Evgeni Malkin, stole the puck, and sent an outlet pass to Brad Marchand along the left boards. Marchand centered for Bergeron who redirected the puck over the left pad of Vokoun for the game-winner.
- The last team to lose a series after leading 3-0 was the Boston Bruins in 2010.
- As a team, the Penguins beat the Bruins in face off by a margin of 51-38.
- Kris Letang has been on the ice for more goals allowed than anybody in the playoffs.
Three Stars
- Patrice Bergeron
- Tuukka Rask
- Evgeni Malkin
Photo courtesy of NHL.com
