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| 18 cases...1 says powerplay goal...good luck! |
The game started with the Tampa crowd roaring yet again, and this time trying to support their team by using thunderstix. Apparently, southern teams aren't all about the old clap your hands method. Tampa certainly had the table set for a good start as Arron Asham got called for cross-checking 2 minutes into the game. The Penguins PK was up to the task though as the Lightning never got a strong chance (which would be the trend for every Tampa PP in this game). Vincent Lecavalier then got called for holding 3 minutes later and everyone went to take a bathroom break because a Penguins powerplay is the most opportune time. NOT THIS TIME THOUGH! Tyler Kennedy received the puck on the left side boards and ripped a shot past Dwayne Roloson's blocker. A POWERPLAY GOAL!!! Though he did not get a point on the play, enormous props go to Eric Tangradi for that goal. Tangradi went directly to the net off of the faceoff and screened Roloson the whole way on Kennedy's shot. The rest of the period went scoreless, as the Penguins received another powerplay, but we weren't asking for miracles here.
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| Yep, this is the man that changed our powerplay's fate. |
The Penguins came out flying in the 2nd period and were quickly rewarded for their play and efforts to get more shots on net. Ben Lovejoy took a shot from the point which Dwayne Roloson kicked directly out to the slot for an awful rebound (for Lightning fans). The puck landed right on Arron Asham's stick who half-fanned on the shot but put it 5-hole to beat Roloson and give the Penguins a 2-0 lead. It wasn't the prettiest of plays, but it's the type of play that will keep a team playing in May.
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| Your leading playoff goal scorer...still has no clue how to celebrate a goal. |
Pittsburgh received another powerplay as Ryan Malone decided to skate through Marc-Andre Fleury in his seemingly never ending quest to get the Penguins to the 2nd round. It was a nice thought that Pens could use this to take a 3-0 lead, but instead the powerplay looked listless and gave Tampa momentum off of the kill. A few minutes later, Martin St. Louis (not that any other Lightning player has shown up) brought the lead down to a goal on a fantastic individual effort. St. Louis crossed center ice with 2 defenders to beat and promptly skated right past Ben Lovejoy and Matt Niskanen to go in by himself and beat Fleury. James Neal took a late penalty for goalie interference, but the Penguins would kill it off without a problem.
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| Doesn't he give out shots at Caseys on the weekends? |
Heading into the 3rd period up 2-1, you had to feel nervous but good. Tampa was one of the worst 3rd period teams this season, and the Penguins were no strangers to 1 goal leads. The play went back and forth as the Penguins didn't stop attacking but slowed down as Tampa started bringing pressure. James Neal took another penalty, this time for high sticking, but that was killed off as well. Then finally, the Lovejoy-Niskanen pairing struck again. With less than 4 minutes left in the 3rd, Martin St. Louis brought the puck to the net which caused a massive scramble by Fleury, the defenseman, and all 3 Tampa forwards. The puck came loose and Sean Bergenheim was there to tap it into the net to tie the game up.
Just as you're thinking, we're going to overtime, Craig Adams gets called for a tripping penalty 45 seconds later. We're going to overtime turned into please let's get to overtime. The Penguins were masterful in this kill though, even without Adams, and then the game headed to overtime. The first overtime gave you a chance to get your heart pumping, strain your nerves, and hold your breath, but nothing came of it. The Penguins had a sizable advantage in chances, as they had all night, but couldn't find a way to finish it. Then came the 2nd overtime.
It didn't take long, and the whole play happened in a blur. Jordan Staal threw the puck down the boards from the point, and James Neal one-timed it off of the boards on a seeming ill-advised and downright retarded shot. Sorry James Neal, I am the one that is retarded. Dwayne Roloson was out of position and caught completely by surprise on Neal's incredibly accurate shot. Neal beat Roloson high on his glove side and as Mike Lange said for all to hear, Elvis, had just left the building. PENS WIN, 3-2!
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| The ritual gang raping of whoever scores the OT winner. |
3 Stars:
#3 - Asham (1g)
#2 - St. Louis (1g, 1a)
#1 - Neal (1g)
Notes/Thoughts:
- Congrats to Martin St. Louis for showing up this series, but the rest of his team really hasn't done anything of note against the Penguins thus far.
- The Pens outshot the Lightning 53-31 in this game, and pretty much out-chanced Tampa Bay all night because of throwing pucks at the net and getting the rebounds from them.
- The Lovejoy/Niskanen pairing played 2:30 against the St. Louis line. Oh, and managed to let up 2 goals in that 2:30. It'll be nice to have last line change in Game 5 as that is a matchup Tampa will want to exploit badly.
- For that matter, Lovejoy received just under 10 minutes of icetime and Niskanen had just over 11. In a game that goes to double OT and featured 83 minutes of hockey, wow. Think Bylsma has any confidence in that pairing? (Related - good thing we have 2 days off so the other 4 dmen can rest, Orpik led with 40 minutes).
- Say bye bye to the 3 monkeys leaving the backs of the powerplay, penalty kill, and James Neal.
- Rupp led the team with 6 shots on goal while Orpik and Niskanen were the only 2 to not records shots.
- No word on who will lose their spot due to Kunitz's return in Game 5, but I certainly hope it isn't Tangradi. He played a great overall game and was largely responsible for that ever elusive powerplay goal. My pick would be Conner.
- Crosby didn't skate with the team today, I'm starting to think his season is over.
Game 5 in Pittsburgh on Saturday, 12pm start! Let's close this out! 3 down, 13 to go, LET'S GO PENS!!!
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