Penguins Draw Even With Red Wings in Game 4
Pittsburgh Hoping to Rewrite 2008 Cup Final Script
A raucous Mellon Arena crowd. An early first period goal courtesy of Evgeni Malkin. A stellar opening 20 minutes for goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. All that and a little more combined for a 1-1 tie between the Penguins and Red Wings at the first intermission.
But then, just 46 seconds into the middle frame, Brad Stuart fired one past Fleury to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. A goal that one year ago likely would have grounded the already flightless birds. This year’s edition, however, had other ideas.
Despite a pair of back-to-back penalties called on Malkin and Brooks Orpik (his coming right as Malkin’s expired), the boys in black did not back down. Instead, Jordan Staal kicked off a three-goal outburst with a shorthanded marker while Orpik served his minor. Two minutes later, Sidney Crosby converted a pass from Malkin to put his team ahead for good. And, not done yet, Tyler Kennedy completed a sweet tic-tac-toe passing play for the insurance goal.
From there, it was clear the Penguins were in control. And they had their opponent playing un-Red Wing-like hockey, to the point where Niklas Kronwall took a foolish hooking penalty with a minute and a half to go in the game, trying to prevent Chris Kunitz from shooting into an empty net.
Pittsburgh Needs a Win in Detroit
After Thursday’s big win, Dan Bylsma’s charges head to Motown on a high and with momentum tipping in their favor. If they hope to change the outcome of a year ago, they’ll need that to stay on their side in Game 5. The Penguins are 1-5 at Joe Louis Arena in the Cup Final over the last two seasons, with their lone victory coming in the form of a 4-3 overtime triumph in Game 5 in 2008.
Malkin Making his Mark in 2009 Stanley Cup Final
Throughout the 2008 Stanley Cup Final, fans and media alike were wondering “Where’s Malkin?” No. 71 was a non-factor against Detroit last year, picking up just three points in the entire six-game series, all in the final two contests. This season, it’s the Red Wings and their coaching staff asking the question because wherever he is, they want and need someone on him.
They didn’t have an answer in the first period, when the 22-year-old was left all alone to pop in a rebound and give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.
With his goal and assist in Game 4, Malkin now has 35 points in the 2009 Playoffs, the best postseason total since a chap named Wayne Gretzky racked up 40 in 1993. That year, Gretzky and the Kings fell to the Canadiens in the Cup Final.
While matching the points mark would be nice, Malkin surely has his eyes set on something bigger.
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