By Allan Muir, SI.com
1. Sidney Crosby, Penguins: You didn't think the Wings could keep him bottled up for a third straight game, did you? Hey, big players make big plays in big games, and as far as Crosby's pro career goes, this was his ultimate test. On a night when his team needed him to be a difference maker, Sid responded with a pair of goals to pace the Pens to victory. His first of the evening came on a nifty give-and-go with Marian Hossa that started with Crosby pouncing on a Brad Stuart turnover, but it was his second goal that really put the wind in Pittsburgh's sails. After setting the power play in motion, Crosby found space to the left of Chris Osgood, putting himself in perfect position to bang home Ryan Malone's rebound. That gave the Pens a 2-0 lead, and the confidence to get themselves back into this series.
2. Marc-Andre Fleury, Penguins: Instead of the guy who flopped -- literally -- in his first two Cup finals games, this was the Fleury who hasn't lost on home ice since Nov. 21. He kept his streak alive with 32 stops and a consistent 60-minute effort, highlighted by nine memorable saves on Jiri Hudler and Valtteri Filppula.
3. Johan Franzen, Red Wings: The Mule looked to be back at full strength with a pair of goals on the night. Although only one of them counted -- the net was dislodged on his first -- his second is destined for the highlight reel. Deking around Rob Scuderi at the top of the circle, Franzen darted to the net, showing forehand and backhand before finally wristing a beauty past a baffled Fleury to draw the Wings within one late in the second.


Esti Ginzberg
Jessica Gomes



Comments (13) Add A Comment
Good job by the Pens tonight taking advantage of the unforced errors of the Wings. Two Brad Stuart mistakes (bad pass to Z, failure to clear a rebound) ended up in the back of the net. I expect him to bounce back next game.
The third period of this game was one of the most intense I've seen in a while. Can't wait until Game 4 and I hope Holmstrom is okay, because he got abused tonight.
The Winged Wolverine
Total Comments (131)
Don't be crying about a man who goes headhunting every shift as having been abused. Holmstrom can hold his own, he's fine. This game had some of the best officiating of the playoffs. That five minutes of skating action in the third was pure hockey. How about that shift in the corner where Orpiks threw some devastating checks, at least four or five! He should've been 1 of the 3 stars just for that shift! I still saw an overmatched team at times in the Pens. I just don't see how they win in Detroit?
mikeinpittsburgh
Oakdale , PA
Total Comments (37)
Who is crying? I'm just stating the obvious. Holmstrom got hammered tonight. Gill took two penalties in the process, and even the announcers were talking about the cross checks that Holmstrom was taking.
From the highlights I saw tonight, I'm wondering if he hit his head on the ice and that's why he was out the remainder of the game.
And I do agree, that shift by Orpik was ridiculous. It was like video game hockey with all the hits.
The Winged Wolverine
Total Comments (131)
A goalie who gives up a goal isnt necessarily baffled. Just give credit to Franzen.
Cassidy's House:…
Whatsittoya, NO
Total Comments (16281)
Nice win by Pittsburgh, however they were dominated much of the game. No way this series goes 6 games.
PhillyMonk
Malaga , NJ
Total Comments (3)
Orpik was like a bumper car with no driver that keeps turning around and smacking into the wall. It was amazing how those guys just fell into place one after another. That was a classic!
youghdog
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (7)
Holmstrom is a marked man doing a tough job. All the opposing players can do what they want to him most of the time. The goalies can slash and slew him. Credos to him for going back for the beatings every game. Sorta remind me of dino for his tanacity.
joefordnproud
Romulus, MI
Total Comments (682)
Go Pens.
T Rocks
Mysterious, PA
Total Comments (2574)
I'd love the Pens to win this, but they gave absolutely every thing they had last night and still barely beat Detroit I don't believe they can maintain that effort for the next few games and I think Detroit still has another gear out there somewhere Having said that, that may have been the most exciting game played in that building and I watched all the Cup games from the 90's
Flightless Bird
Total Comments (18)
Homer got beat up? LOL what's new? That's his job. He does it well, and Gill ended up in the box twice for it. Probably should have been a third time, and Nick got highsticked right in front of the ref. They also missed Crosby getting tripped and Malkin being interfered with two time that they didn't call. So everything evened out and the team that played the best game won.
mhwings
Total Comments (550)
Holstrom knows how to stay on his skates when he needs to--and he knows when to drop to draw the penalty too! I call BS on him getting abused. He puts himself where he needs to be and does what he needs to do. I'm not ragging on him, he's a fine hockey player.
But I want the Pens to win!
ambiguoushockeyrefer…
Spokane , WA
Total Comments (1)
the pens finally showed up. i think that's the best thing we can take out of this game. none of the pens goals were pretty, but they were a result of people hustling and being where they were supposed to be. detroit still played a good game, but look for the pens to tie this thing up next game. i don't know if they win the series, but they're at least going to give the wings a run. oh, and how did that one red wing hit the post on that wide open net in the middle of the third? he should be cut from the team! oh well, i'm not complaining. GO PENS!
surly
Gibsonia , PA
Total Comments (18)
That was an amazing game last night. That stretch of about 6 minutes without a stoppage was rediculously good action all around from both teams. I don't think they are calling the right penalties though. Both teams got very weak calls and the ref's let go very blatant ones.
mckee
New Kensington , PA
Total Comments (35)
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