By Allan Muir, SI.com
For just a second, the red light went on.
In the midst of a one minute and 26 second two-man advantage for the Penguins, Sergei Gonchar's blast from the top of the circle fooled the NHL's goal judge, who lit the lamp, sending a good number of the 17,000 fans into paroxysms of joy at the prospect of a late game-tying goal.
Only problem? The puck didn't fool Detroit's Chris Osgood, and it certainly didn't go into the net. In fact, after giving up the opening marker on Marian Hossa's nifty display of netside dexterity just 2:51 into the contest, Osgood stopped the next 21 shots that came his way, leading the Red Wings to a 2-1 win and a 3-1 chokehold on the series.
Game 4 was another captivating contest, a thriller from beginning to end that featured the first lead change of the finals, the first two-man advantage, and the first loss by a team that opened the scoring. It also marked the first loss at Mellon Arena for the Pens since they were quelled in a shootout by the Sharks on Feb. 24.
Given the end result, it is no surprise that none of those firsts reflected positively on the home side. But when this series ends, the Penguins will rue none of those things so much as their inability to make more of a surprisingly undisciplined performance from the Red Wings.
While Hossa's goal came on an early man advantage created when Dallas Drake needlessly crosschecked Ryan Whitney behind the Pittsburgh net, Detroit's penalty killers frustrated the Pens through the remaining five chances. And none were more decisive than that five-on-three midway through the third.
The sequence started with a marginal hooking call on Kirk Maltby at 9:36 of the third. Sidney Crosby, who was all around the play Saturday night but unable to create the space he did in Game 3, drew the second penalty on Andreas Lilja when he tried to power through a pair of Detroit defenders just 34 seconds later.
With Detroit holding a 2-1 lead courtesy of Nick Lidstrom's tying effort late in the first and Jiri Hudler's go-ahead goal early in the third, the stage was set for Pittsburgh's equalizer. But when it was over, the Pens had failed to muster a single shot. They fired it wide twice, had one shot blocked, and gave the biscuit away to the game's most dangerous player, Henrik Zetterberg, who created a nifty scoring chance reminiscent of his pair of shorties against the Stars.
The futility provided a perfect illustration of two constants in the series: Detroit's ability to shut down the passing lines on the penalty kill and the inability of the Penguins to adapt by simplifying their approach. Consider it the advantage of experience over youth.
Of course, it might not have mattered if they had altered their attack, so masterful and positionally sound were the Wings. Leading the charge was Zetterberg, who authored a shift every bit as dramatic as Brooks Orpik's four-hitter in Game 3. The presumptive Conn Smythe winner -- and yes, it's time to start thinking in those terms -- buffed his credentials with a game-saving effort when he nixed Pittsburgh's best opportunity. After putting pressure on the puck at the point, he spotted Crosby alone to the left of Osgood anticipating a pass. It arrived, but a fraction of a second after Zetterberg swooped in to eliminate his stick and negate what would have been an easy tap-in.
And that was pretty much the ball game. The Penguins generated just three shots in the final eight minutes, only one after Marc-Andre Fleury -- who offered up another impressive performance, stopping 28 Detroit chances -- was pulled in the game's final minute. And when Osgood snapped out his right pad to stymie Malkin's point-blank re-direct, it was church for the home side ... in this game and, likely, the series.
In the history of the Cup finals, only one team, the 1942 Maple Leafs, has come back from a 3-1 deficit. Considering how many players on the Penguins are firing blanks -- Malkin and Petr Sykora, in particular -- the chances of starting that comeback Monday night don't look any better than the odds. In eight home games in this postseason, Osgood has allowed just eight goals.
To have any hope at all, they'll have to find answers for their impotent power play. They certainly can't do anything about the experience gap.
Cintia Dicker
Damaris Lewis
Did You See That?
Back in Time: July 3
Comments (57) Add A Comment
Ozzie's only allowing 1GAA this series and has been nothing short of unstoppable these playoffs... we should mention him for Conn Smythe, too! Maybe give Z the season's MVP, and Osgood the playoffs? =)
It's just not the Pens' time. They need a better coach, too. There's been several goof ups on line changes and you get the sense that Babcock has been much cooler under fire. Even in Game 3 the Wings didn't give up and came back, which served them well in Game 4, as they were forced to come back again. It's a difference in experience and coaching... and even though there's a lot of focus on Crosby, a huge difference in talent. The Wings are a better team. Lidstrom is the best hockey player in the world. It's not unusual that the Wings fourth line scored the winning goal, that's just the tale of the tape in this series.
ManuteBolSuperfan
Ithaca , NY
Total Comments (58)
Detroit has a hospital with an emergency room that is a model for other cities and there was an ad for it on Detroit radio during the game. After Nick L. tied the game, I thought the Pens needed it, or something. It wasn't coming and the series is likely over.
Insane Hussein
Charlottesville, VA
Total Comments (1668)
Hockey is made up of skill both on skate and stick, made of speed and accuracy in passing the puck and is a tactical team sport. It is also made up of luck and Pittsburg did not it tonight, bad puck bounce, deflect on a skate, referee in the way, puck going under the armpit of the goalie and landing in the goal. But Detroit though undiscipline were lucky. It is amazing the number of holdings, interference and pushing that Detroit gets away with. But notably less cross checking than in the East league.
I still think that Detroit is the team in a long time. I believe that Pittsburg gave their best. It it experience or plain skill that makes Detroit a superior team.
I think that Pittsburg should have won last night, they just did not have the bounce. And "ManuteBolSuperfan" Therrien is a good coach. It would be hard to find better for this team. He just was not able to get Malkin going like when Crosby was out. Maybe a problem here, maybe language; cause Malkin is a terrific player the way he plays the puck both with his stick and skate. He is also very solid.
Homlstrom does make a difference...n'est-ce pas?
alexandre
Total Comments (58)
Yo, alex xan dre Wake up, Detroit won without Holmstrom, c'est vrais. And they did it - have been doing it - with all their lines rocking, rolling, passing and scoring. They miss Homer, but this win once again shows: Mmmm Mmmm Mmm, but they are good!
hockeyrules
Total Comments (3)
One more game and we can say for sure that the Pens have been exposed as frauds. All I heard leading up to this series is Crosby is the best player in the league. Please, The guy can't play the penalty kill. When he is on the ice as the same time as Zetterberg, he looks like a ECHL rookie. He think's that they aren't chasing the Wings? Poor kid is in either in denial or he believes the hype the league spins on him. I don't want to hear the Sidney hype till that guy can play both ways. What about Therrin? Roberts is his hottest player and on that 5 on 3 he doesnt put him in. He puts Malkin in there, who has been stinking up the rink all series. And please Pens fans don't cry about the Wings non calls. You guy's have been getting some pretty weak calls your way the whole series. That call on Leija was laughable. Overhyped, Over rated. Come monday the Cup will be Over Zetterburg's head.
eljefe247
Turlock , CA
Total Comments (32)
The Wings started out well without.................Lilja. They should have kept it that way. Mr. Lilja is the most error-prone player on the ice. He is almost always a split second late in reacting to situations. And his passing (or getting shuck of the puck) is pitiful. Babcock should explain to his Lilja's fellow Swedes that Lilja is a very week link in their squad and should be sent packing....................
wingtip
Total Comments (5)
another great column by the wings number one fan. you are a joke.
panthers857
Ann Arbor , MI
Total Comments (2)
I guess this just shows that the Wings all contribute rather than the Pens relying on Crosby and Malkin and maybe Hossa are the difference in the series, and the Pens might want to take notes next time
conesy
Springfield , VA
Total Comments (200)
the pens are going to be fine in the long run -- and that includes malkin, unless he's somehow unable to bounce back psychologically from this. i think the grind of a full NHL season + playoffs really wears out young players who aren't used to it, especially euros. it wasn't that long ago when everyone was wondering why datsyuk and zetterberg kept disappearing in the playoffs. the wings are better this year but as a fan i'd love to have pittsburg's future. great young stars, a good goalie, and awesome fans.
one thing though -- enough with the whining about detroit "getting away" with stuff. i thought stuff was let go for long stretches on both sides last night, and when they did decide to start calling penalties, they obviously called them on the wings. it's getting so i can predict exactly when the pens are about to get a power play. last night it came on an iffy hooking call followed by the legit interference that crosby drew. the refs couldn't have done more to help the pens tie the game if they'd dropped the puck at center ice and pointed them towards an empty net.
texaswings
Total Comments (45)
What do you want him to say panther? That the Pens have been a great match for the Wings? That their power play has been good? The Star's, Sharks, or the Ducks would be beating the Pens as well. The Pens simply arent as good as hyped and Muir is telling it like it is.
eljefe247
Turlock , CA
Total Comments (32)
Wow! Osgood was just great last night! Both he and Zetterberg were the best players on the ice.
Did anyone else see Franzen get a blatent high stick to the face in the first(right before he got put in the box for matching minors with Opekin(sp?)) The Wings are winning even when they have to play against the refs! THe Wings just go the the box w/o complaint 99% of the time, as compared to the Pens, who b**ch and complain when the call was legit! And Babcock is showing class, not once did you see him lose his cool compared to Thierren....Wings took the Pens to school in style and class and composure. Hope they were paying attention, b/c if they were, the Cup will most likely be their's in the next year or two.
Go Wings!!
Alisha318
Nanuet , NY
Total Comments (10)
Zetterberg for MVP...
Osgood has been weak with players behind the goal, not hugging the post, and by allowing too much space behind him on point-blank plays. It is his one obviously uncomfortable position he clearly handles poorly.
If I'm not mistaken, that's the 2nd time Hossa has beaten him from behind the net by simply banking the puck off the back of his leg/skate and into the net. I think I might have seen that a couple times in the Stars or Colorado series as well.
Osgood has played well, but they're in this because their puck-possession, backchecking, and forechecking have been absolutely incredible... not because Osgood is that incredible.
Minisoda Connection
Total Comments (97)
I really don't think the Pens future is as rosy as most people think. It's hype. Sid isnt the next Wayne Gretzky. He more like the next Eric Lindros. Remember the hype surrounding him?I feel bad for Sid kinda. People expect so much from him and he is just one player.
eljefe247
Turlock , CA
Total Comments (32)
I'd like to watch the finals, but can't find it on T.V. What channel is it on? What time are the games? You would think the NHL would do a better job marketing their premier event of the year. This stinks! I can't go 5 minutes without hearing about the celtics / lakers, but really have to dig around if I want to hear more about hockey. They have to fix this immediately.
KC guy
Total Comments (281)
alexandre- your view of the hooking, holding non calls is very skewed. The officials did every thing they could to even up the game for the Pens in the 3rd. Zetterberg saved the game, not an unlucky bounce. Malkin may be a great player in the future, but based on recent play I would take Hank or Pav over Malkin and/or Crosby at the moment. Hossa is the best player on that team through this series, and Sid looks like a cry baby to me. If it wasn't for Lilijia this series would already be over...
Jules77
Howell , MI
Total Comments (3)
First things first - Stop making Zetterberg's play out to be something great. It was a blatant slash to Sid's stick, which is considered obstruction. Therefore, it should have been a penalty. This is something the league is supposedly trying to get rid of. If you don't believe me, watch the clip again and try to disagree.
Secondly, eljefe247 = joke
No one is the next Gretzky, or Lemieux for that matter.
You shouldn't feel bad for a 20 YEAR OLD KID who already has won MVP and the Art Ross and has led his team to the Finals in just his third year.
It will be hard for the Pens to keep a team like this together year after year because of the salary cap that wasn't existent in Gretzky's time, but as long as the Pens have Sid, Malkin, and Staal centering their top 3 lines, a couple Cups are in the future. Even though there is a cap, the Pens will be able to spend up to it every year, especially when the new arena opens up.
Finally, Muir = Red Wings' resident ball waxer.
66 Buries It
Total Comments (11)
hey scott406... the games are on NBC
mzhockeyfan
Total Comments (5)
Zetterberg's play on Crosby was a blatant slash? If they called that a penalty, there would never be any five on five hockey because that happens all the time, in every single hockey game.
Penguins fans are getting desperate, and it is both hilarious and pathetic.
The Winged Wolverine
Total Comments (130)
66- I might agree with you except for the issue of positioning. Hank has Sid boxed out from getting to that puck. He never even moves his stick in the play, it is Sid trying to battle back to get that puck that makes it look like obstruction. Sid was cleared out of position which is why it was not called. The Penguins having been doing much worse to Homer and Franzen throughout the series. Call it what you will, but I think it was a great play. He then continued to create 3 on 2 the other way burning time and getting 2 scoring chances for the wings. Betman will never let Sid become the next Lindros, he does everything he can to create a league that allows his game to get better. Fortunately the league changes have also helped the Red Wings style of play, This series is over folks, and I can see the Wings getting back to the finals next year. Hopefully, the Pens will be ready next time and give us a real series to go down in history as one of the best.
Jules77
Howell , MI
Total Comments (3)
Well said Winged! I think that the wings are very clean around the net compared to every team we faced in the playoffs...
Jules77
Howell , MI
Total Comments (3)
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