Pittsburgh 4 - Detroit 2
Mellon Arena was electric to start game 4 and potential Conn Smyth trophy winner Geno Malkin would blow the lid off the rink with his 14th goal of the playoffs just 2:39 into game 4. Malkin took a page out of Detroit’s book and banged in a fortunate bounce off the end boards while on the power play with Niklas Kronwall in the box for tripping.
The Red Wings were once again without their Hart Trophy candidate Pavel Datsyuk who was rumoured to return from a foot injury who has kept him out since game 6 of Detroit’s conference final series against Anaheim and his absence seems to be taking its toll on the Red Wings. Notably, their veteran core has been abnormally quiet and has had their struggles, both offensively and defensively in this series.
Red Wings Youth Movement
The Red Wings young players continue to lead the charge and produce. Local Detroit-area hero Justin Abdelkader, who scored two goals in the first two games of the series, was pulled out of the line-up in favour of wily veteran Chris Draper in game 4. Abdelkader’s line mate’s however continued to prove to head coach Mike Babcock that they belong on the ice and not in the press box, as Darren Helm equalled for the Red Wings with 1:41 remaining in the first period after a brutal giveaway by Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi to send the teams to the intermission tied.
Forty-six seconds into the second period, Brad Stuart put the Wings ahead with his second goal of the series - a screened slap shot from the point, quieting the Pittsburgh faithful. Things would get worse for the Penguins as a couple of penalties would result in Pittsburgh having to kill off nearly 3 minutes shorthanded. Geno Malkin’s near break-a-way while shorthanded would fail, but seconds later Jordan Staal would bust in, beating Brian Rafalski one-on-one and beat Osgood on a quick shot to the far side.
Two penalty kills and a shorthanded goal would breathe life back in to the Penguins and prove to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Sidney Crosby And Geno Malkin
1:19 later, at the 10:34 mark of the second period, Sidney Crosby would put the Penguins ahead after finishing a two-on-one with Geno Malkin and the Pittsburgh faithful went nuts. For the next 3 minutes they chanted “Ozzie, Ozzie” as Pittsburgh continued to pressure the offensive and after Tyler Kennedy made it 4-2, they had Detroit on the ropes.
Although he led the Red Wings in shots on goal, public enemy number one Marian Hossa, again was a non-factor for the fourth straight game in the finals. You can bet that the Red Wings will welcome Datsyuk back with open arms for game four.
History did not repeat itself on this night as Pittsburgh was able to break the script from last year’s finals and instead of trailing 3 games to 1 heading into game 4; they are tied 2-2.
2009 Stanley Cup Finals Game 4 Stats:
Goal Scorers: Pittsburgh; Geno Malkin, Jordan Staal, Sidney Crosby, Tyler Kennedy
Detroit; Darren Helm, Brad Stuart
Shots on goal: Pittsburgh 31 – Detroit 39
Power Play: Pittsburgh 1/2 – Detroit 0/4
Faceoffs Won: Pittsburgh 26 – Detroit 34
Ice-time Leaders: Pittsburgh, Sergei Gonchar 21:34 - Detroit, Nicklas Lidstrom 24:40
Pittsburgh and Detroit will play game five at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday, June 6th at 8pm
