Sidney Crosby scored the game-winner in the
shootout to help Pittsburgh take a 2-1 win over Detroit in a rematch of the
past two Stanley Cup Finals.
In the second round, Crosby lifted a backhander into the top of the net past a
sprawled-out Jimmy Howard. After Marc-Andre Fleury stopped a Jason Williams
wrister with the glove, Evgeni Malkin outwaited Howard and slid the puck past
Howard's outstretched left pad for the win.
Crosby scored in regulation while Fleury turned aside 23 shots for the
Penguins, who have won three of their last four.
Daniel Cleary notched the only goal while Howard turned in an impressive
performance with 46 saves for the Red Wings, who have dropped four of the last
five.
The past two Stanley Cup Finals featured these two teams as the Red Wings took
home the Cup after the 2007-08 season with a six-game victory while Pittsburgh
won its third Cup in franchise history last spring in seven games.
With no score late in the second period, Pittsburgh took the lead when Alex
Goligoski threw a hard pass from the right point to the low left side where
Crosby hung onto the puck, cut out front and slipped a backhand into the net
with 3:14 left in the frame.
Detroit tied the game with 8:50 to play in the third as Cleary's slap shot
from the right point went through a screen in front and got past Fleury.
Pittsburgh thoroughly dominated the first period and fired 16 shots on net,
but Howard was up to the task as he stopped everything thrown at him while
Fleury turned aside six shots in the frame.
Game Notes
Pittsburgh hosts Buffalo on Monday...Detroit plays in San Jose on
Tuesday...Neither team scored on the power play with Detroit having five
chances and Pittsburgh three.
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