RECAP: Near Meltdown in Motown. PENS WIN.

We're at the point of the season where certain things start to define themselves.

And a lot of "what if's" start getting thrown around.

 

Like what if James Neal just needed that shootout game winner to get going? What if games like the Detroit game are signs of things to come in the playoffs?  And most important, what if Matt Cooke didn't get suspended for the rest of the season? Maybe something is supposed to happen because of it. Or maybe the Pens will get steamrolled in the first round. No clue. But you get the point.  This is the whole premise of the "History Will Be Made" commercials.

 

The Pens winning this game was more of a relief than it was celebratory.

But anytime you can beat the Wangs in Detroit, it is a good thing.

 

At one point it looked like the Red Wings were about to stun the Penguins. Blowing a four-goal lead and losing in regulation would have been a blow that Pens may not have recovered from. But just like a few years ago, the Pens held their shit together, and were able to prevail in the shootout.

 

 

Never thought we would see a Pens game in Detroit where no one in attendance even cared what was going on. Had the atmosphere of that failed Kevin Federline concert.

Wangs were getting the better chances early.
Pens started pushing back.

Kunitz draws a penalty on that turd Wings d-man.
Killed.

Pens use their shit from the PP to keep some pressure on.
They start a rush from their own end.
Staal carries it in, dishes to Dupuis.
Letang knows Dupuis would hit the net, so he's there on the boards to keep it in.
Eventually it goes back to Dupuis.
He comes out in front, and it somehow goes in.  1-0.

Staal takes some penalty. Pens kill it with ease. 

Late in the period, Dupuis puts a shot on net.
It actually hits the net, so there's a rebound.
Kunitz puts in yet another goal.  2-0.

thanks to Courtney T. for the pic

PERIOD RECAP: Jimmy Howard didn't look ready to play. Jordan Staal missed a wide open net after a sweet pass from Kovy. Kovy probably should have just shot it himself.  And even that probably wouldn't have gone in.

Pens were all over the Wings to start the second.
Tyler Crosby hit the post after a give-and-go with Kunitz.

Craig Adams threw a puck to the net. Goal light, goal.

Out of the corner comes the ref swinging his arms. Terrible sight to see.
Arron Asham apparently interfered with Howard, although Asham never touched Howard at all. Horrid call.

Wings maybe had two shots all period.
Johnson saved both of them.

Pens have to kill a Nisky penalty.
They somehow get an odd-man rush.
Dupes fans on a pass but gets it back.
Puts it home.  3-0.

8 seconds later, Tyler Kennedy turns it into a cakewalk.
4-0.

But then Johnson didn't save one.  4-1. And for some reason this didn't feel good.

The Pens start icing it, Wings slowly coming around. Pens get a powerplay, as Zetterstain goes to the box. Worst powerplay in the business. The penalty goes into the third.

PERIOD RECAP: One goal turned the game around. Wings pulled Howardm too. Old Macdonald with an appearance.