By a 3-0 score over the Penguins. Another great defensive effort by Detroit as the Pens were unable to get any sustained offensive pressure except on power plays, and even those shots were generally from the edges.
I didn’t realize Chris Osgood was so good at diving. The last good chance the Pens had at pulling even in this game came on a mid-3rd period power play while down 2-0. Said power play was immediately cancelled out on a bogus goaltender interference call on Ryan Malone. For one thing, he didn’t just barge into Osgood, he was pushed into the crease by a Red Wing. Secondly, he barely touched Osgood but the Wings goalie acted like he was just bowled into by Jack Lambert. I assume “diving” is a call that can be made on a goaltender too? It created a 4-on-4 and Vilfilla scored on a great move on a pseudo-breakaway and whatever chance the Pens had to win was ended.
Game 3 will be in Pittsburgh Wednesday night as the series coverage shifts to NBC. The Pens should get a lift from the home crowd. They’re going to need it. I am somewhat reminded of a similar situation for the Cup winning Pens. 1991 they lost the first two games of the Wales Conference Finals @ Boston. The Bruins were a veteran team that mostly dominated those first two games. The Pens came home and won the next two on their way to winning 4 straight and getting to the Cup Finals. Hopefully a similar situation plays out here.
