That might have just been the most entertaining hockey game I have ever watched. Irregardless of the fact my team won, which obviously does brighten my perspective, that game just had so much action. It was what NHL hockey is supposed to be. Fast skating. Hard clean hitting. A couple skirmishes but no brawls. Skillful play with and without the puck. Loud crowd (I loved them taunting Osgood right after he gave up the first goal in 3 games).
The key to this game letting the Pens get the win was that they were able to get bursts of sustained pressure and did a better job finding space to operate. They fed off the crowd and got an extra burst in their step. That all being said, the icebreaking first goal was off of a mistake, a bad pass turnover by the Red Wings in their own zone and then a blocked shot landing right on Crosby’s stick. A power play goal by Crosby followed by an insane individual play by Franzen made it 2-1 after two. Adam Hall got a flukish goal putting it off Osgood’s backside in the net to re-establish a two goal lead, and the Pens were able to survive the last 7 minutes of the game being all Red Wings.
I found it rather bizarre that the Wings were so slow in pulling Osgood. They had a good chance with roughly 75 seconds left and the play controlled in the Pens zone, but he didn’t leave the ice and the Pens eventually got the puck down in the other end and killed time until the Wings didn’t have much left to work with. Frankly, I think that was a gaffe, whether by Babcock in not pulling the trigger, or in him trying to and Osgood missing the signal. Not to say they score if its 6-on-5 for that possession with around a minute left, but their odds probably improve.
One thing that does concern me, in same ways more than the first 2 games did, is that the Pens played great and totally fed off the home crowd energy, just to eke out a one goal win. On the other hand, I don’t know if Osgood can continue to play this great (he made several great saves tonight). I guess we’ll find out. Game 4 Saturday night in Pittsburgh and Game 5 loses the “if necessary” asterisk; it will be Monday June 2nd in Detroit. Go Pens!
