It was one of the most exciting and interesting NHL games I’ve ever seen.  Detroit controlled shots as usual, but Marc-Andre Fleury was excellent as he only allowed 3 goals in 58 shots.  Pittsburgh’s 32 shots were just enough for them to pull it off.

The Penguins started off really fast and really had quieted the crowd early.  Halfway through the first period, Marian Hossa scored a goal to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.  Then, later in the 1^st, Niklas Kronwall tried to clear the puck away from his net, and accidentally shot it into his own net, giving Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead.  Adam Hall officially got credit for that goal.  Shots were near even in that period.

Early in the 2^nd, Detroit got on the board, as Darren Helm scored to get them within one.  Detroit had 12 shots to Pittsburgh’s 7 in the second period, and both teams traded chances in the 2^nd.  However, no more goals were scored.

In the 3^rd period, the Red Wings would tie the game.  The Penguins had gotten a hooking penalty, and Pavel Datsyuk scored a powerplay goal 6 minutes into the period.  Then, a few minutes later, the Wings would take the lead as Brian Rafalski scored halfway through the period.  Detroit had control in the whole period, getting 14 shots to Pittsburgh’s 4.  But the Penguins’ Max Talbot would tie the game with only 35 seconds left, forcing what would be the first of three overtimes.

Detroit had the majority of the chances in the overtimes’, especially in the first two.  The referees ate their whistles, and few penalties were called.  The ones that were, two bad goalie interference calls on Detroit, and a hook on the Penguins, were questionable.  Detroit would have a total of 24 shots in the three overtimes, while Pittsburgh would have 12.  Fleury would save all 24 of those overtime shots, as he stepped it up to a whole different level.

Halfway through the 3^rd OT, Jiri Hudler’s stick caught a Penguin in the face, giving Pittsburgh a 4-minute powerplay.  And they took advantage.  Less than a minute in, Petr Sykora scored with assists from Malkin and Gonchar to give the Penguins a 4-3 win.  Detroit finally was handed a home loss.
 

Both teams are spent from that game, but will that benefit the Penguins?  You would think that the younger team would have a higher stamina than the Red Wings.  Either way, game 6 is in Pittsburgh, Wednesday at 8 PM ET on NBC/CBC.
 

Can the Red Wings go on the road and end it?  Or will the Penguins force game 7?  Either way, last nights’ game was EXACTLY what the NHL needed.  Let’s hope for another classic on Wednesday.

Pittsburgh 4, Detroit 3 (3OT)

Game Highlights: NHL.tv