2009 Stanley Cup Final Game 3

A Game-By-Game Analysis Of The Penguins-Red Wings Series

Jun 2, 2009

Pittsburgh bounces back after dropping two in Detroit to make a series of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Maxime Talbot ended game two in the spotlight, and started game three the same way. Talbot’s spear to the chest of Chris Osgood at the end of game 2 may have taken him off his game after all. Just 5 minutes into game three Talbot opened the scoring for the Penguins who showed more life and quicker legs than they have all series long.

Too bad the lead would be short-lived, as just 1:29 later Henrik Zetterberg would be the beneficiary of hard work behind the net by Ville Leino and pull the Red Wings even.

Johan Franzen’s go ahead goal mid-way through the first period would silence Mellon Arena just past the half way mark of the period. Kris Letang would equalize for the Penguins on the power play with 5 minutes to play - a slap shot that found its way through Osgood’s pads, sending the Red Wings and Penguins into the first intermission tied.

Mellon Arena Playoff Advantages

Having last change was a benefit that Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma used to his advantage in game three. Rather than reducing Sidney Crosby’s ice time while trying to keep him away from Henrik Zetterberg, Bylsma very shrewdly managed his bench, freeing up some much needed space for his snipers Crosby and Gino Malkin. The CBC broadcast crew highlighted that Red Wing’s head coach Mike Babcock would keep 7 players on the ice during TV time-outs to ensure he had the best match-up possible.

After a pretty dull and uneventful second period, the game took a dramatic turn at the 9:06 mark of the third period. Outstanding rookie defenseman Jonathan Ericsson would take a very confusing interference penalty – not confusing because of what Ericsson did, but confusing in how the referee’s decide when and when not to call penalties.

Penguins Playoff Power Play

With Ericsson sitting in the box, the Penguins power play went to work. They hemmed the puck in Detroit’s zone for a full 1:20 before Sergei Gonchar scored his first of the finals with a blast from the point.

For the third time in game three, Osgood seemed frustrated after surrendering a goal. So much had been made leading up to game three of Osgood cool, calm demeanor and how he knows what it takes to win – there is no doubt he does, but is he showing a crack in his playoff amour?

Maxime Talbot, who really had the game of his life in game three, put the icing on the cake by scoring his second of the game into an empty net with just under a minute to go.

Both teams’ power plays finally made an appearance in game three. Pittsburgh scored twice on three chances and Detroit scored once on two chances.

It’s worth noting that the Pittsburgh faithful did not give Marian Hossa an inch of leniency. They booed him relentlessly all game long and rose to their feet every time he so much as go breathed on. Looks like we have ourselves a series! Game four should be fun!

2009 Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 Stats:

Ice-time Leaders: Pittsburgh, Sergei Gonchar 22:29 - Detroit, Nicklas Lidstrom 26:40

The copyright of the article 2009 Stanley Cup Final Game 3 in National Hockey League (NHL) is owned by Dan Leggieri. Permission to republish 2009 Stanley Cup Final Game 3 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.