With 18 seconds and ticking on the clock, Detroit gave one last push in the direction of the Pittsburgh goal mouth. Much like Pittsburgh’s last second push a year before by Hossa at the opposite end, this puck was not destined to go in. By mere luck from the Pens and panic setting in by the Wings, Fleury’s teammates came through to preserve a 2-1 Pittsburgh victory forcing a Game 7 on Friday night.
Chris Osgood probably played his best game of the season, allowing only two second-chance goals. For the most part of two periods, Detroit had to fend off one attack after another by an aggressive Penguins squad. Line changes were harder to come by as were any sort of penalty calls. Malkin and Crosby were supported by their role player teammates who looked for a hit at every moment.
So Game 7 is next for the Wings in front of a packed Joe Louis Arena audience. Detroit will try to accomplish something they have not done in 12 years, which is to win a Stanley Cup on home ice. The fans of Washington, Carolina and Pittsburgh have been witness to Detroit’s last three triumphs and hopefully Red Wings fans will have something to celebrate well into Friday night!
An afterthought for everyone – is anybody else getting the sneaking suspicion that a Penguin, no matter who wins the Cup, will win the Conn Smythe? If Bettman doesn’t award the trophy to a Red Wing, he will likely become enemy no. 1 in this town.