Skip to main content

With a rush, Pens stay in Cup finals

For 20 minutes Tuesday night, the Detroit Red Wings were perfect.

At least that's what some people were saying at intermission of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals.

And the second period sure did look like a perfect effort, if you didn't glance at the scoreboard and see the game still tied 2-2.

But it was tied and the Pens had life.

They turned everything around, getting a power-play goal and empty-net goal to cap a 4-2 win and climb back into the series.

I don't think this series is over. In fact, a win Thursday night and this series is the Penguins' to win.

Why the optimism?

The Red Wings got plenty of breaks and bounces in Games 1 and 2.

Missed penalties? Check.

Penguins' shots hitting posts instead of the back of the net? Check.

2-0 series lead like last year? Check.

That's where the similarities end in my book.

With all going right for the Wings, they should have won Game 3.

Instead, the Pens' survived that second period Tuesday night and put on a display of their own in the third.

They shut down the vaunted Wings, scored on the power play and now trail 2-1.

Yeah, it's still a series. I'm pretty optimistic about the Pens' chances.

This is winnable.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Are the Steelers the team no one wants to face?

Embed from Getty Images There's a label attached to the Steelers this postseason: The team no one wants to face. Don't buy it? Monday Morning QB thinks so . Andy Benoit says an explosive passing game and creative defense makes Pittsburgh the most dangerous team in the AFC. I don't think the Ravens had any problems facing the Steelers two weeks ago. But, hey, the Ravens aren't in the playoffs, right? The problem with the Steelers is the defense. They might be creative, as Benoit suggests, but they're also vulnerable to the big play. The team seems to play up -- or down -- to its competition. So, again, there are no Ravens in the playoffs, so they can't be accused of playing down. However, the Steelers have to like their chances with the Bengals on Saturday. One Vegas line on Sunday night had Pittsburgh as a small favorite. Does that mean the Steelers could play down to Cincy? I'm sure the Steelers will be fired up. And it is the po
Post a Comment
Read more

It was a Burfict ending for the Steelers against the Bengals

Embed from Getty Images I've never seen an ending like that . Oh, sure, I've seen games play out like the scoring summary did from Saturday night's unbelievable wild-card game. Steelers take a 15-0 lead. It looks like they have the game in hand. The Bengals take the lead late in the game. The Steelers win it with a field goal in the waning seconds. That doesn't quite sum it up, does it? Not this game. Not the way it unfolded. Let's get back to the 15-0 part. Martavis Bryant gave the Steelers that lead with an incredible TD catch from Ben Roethlisberger. He actually caught it with his butt. I'm not sure how that was a football move -- but I digress. At that point, it looked like the Steelers were in control. Then Vontaze Burfict took over for the Bengals. Yeah, that guy. Burfict sacked Roethlisberger at the end of the third quarter, knocking Big Ben out of the game. Embed from Getty Images But all the Ste
Post a Comment
Read more

Don't compare the Steelers to last year's playoff team

Embed from Getty Images I'm already hearing talk about this year's playoff is unfolding like last year. You know how that went: The Steelers lost their starting running back in Week 17, then lost in the wild-card round against a divisional opponent. This year, DeAngelo Williams was injured in Week 17. And the Steelers face a divisional opponent -- the Bengals. That's where it stops. Williams has a sprained ankle, and is considered day-to-day. They also face an opponent that has a rich history -- of losing in the postseason. That's not to suggest that this game is a gimmie and the Steelers should book a trip to Denver. This will present it's share of challenges, namely A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert. The Steelers will need to slow them down, no matter who's throwing the ball. But, if A.J. McCarron is behind center, that should be in favor of the Steelers -- also something different from a year ago.
Post a Comment
Read more