Win gets Penguins more than just back into the series

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

You didn't really think this was going to be a sweep, did you?

The home fans conducted a "white out" while hoping their team wasn't white washed in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals and early in the first period, it looked like that was going to be the precice result. But the Pens bounced back and with a 4-2 victory on home ice, the Penguins not only got themselves back into the series. They found they can do the things they need to to get back in this series.

1) Evgeni Malkin had to come through.
After his cheap shot raised controversy as a one-game instigator ban was erased by the NHL, Malkin had to make a statement with something other than some late-in-the-game unsportsmanlike conduct to pick up his team. He did so, notching three assists as the general of the second line.

2) The Penguins need to get others involved in the offense
While Crosby and Malkin potted over 25 percent of Pittsburgh's goals during the regular season, they can't score every goal for the Penguins if they hope to win this series. On several occasions Crosby proved he was the most skilled player on the ice by drawing two Red Wings to creat opportunities for teammates. The great first period chance when he split the defense, then sent a pass in front of the crease to a wide open Bill Guerrin (a native of a Springfield, MA suburb, if you didn't know) set a very good precedent for the remainder of the game.

3) Sergei Gonchar must be a factor
Gonchar should have been given an assist on Henrik Zetteberg's goal in the first, it seems like a million years since Gonchar had registered a point. He remains the Penguins' best option offensively on the blue line and he picked a heck of a time to be a veteran leader and record his first multi-point game of the playoffs.

4) Exploiting the Detroit penalty kill is a must
Detriot's penalty kill has been more than suspect all year long, with a dismal 78.6 rating on the year and a 73.3 mark in the playoffs. While the Penguins' power play was less than stelar this season, this was a weakness that HAS to be exploited. Two power play goals in three tries sets a pretty good tone for the rest of the series.

To say the Penguins have an advantage at this point with home ice is stretching it. Detroit was one of the best road teams in hockey. The Wings and your Boston Bruins were the only two teams in the league to record 24 wins on the road. But hope is rising once again in Pittsburgh. But they have to keep doing what they did tonight to have a chance.