Unhandled Exceptions

First Period:

The Pens started off well, with Hossa burying a rebound from a Crosby shot one minute in. The teams were bashing at each other for the next 12 minutes. New York scored on a goal from Straka, although it looked like it went off of Jagr, who was pushed into the cage. After that questionable goal, the three players from each team were given penalties for roughing as a result of the scrum afterwards.

That lead to an odd line combination in Malkin/Sykora/Laraque. During their shift, Laraque corralled a centering pass and wristed one past Lundqvist to make it 2-1. The Rangers took a 4:00 high sticking penalty, and Malkin put a blistering shot past Lundqvist to make it 3-1.

3-1 Pens

Second Period:

Uneventful until a string of penalties put the Rangers on the power play for about 5 minutes, including seperate 5 on 3 advantages. The Penguins managed to kill those chances, but gave up two quick goals by Callahan and Jagr that tied the game at 3. It looked like the Pens were losing control of the game, as the Rangers were flying everywhere. However, thanks to a stupid penalty by Hollweg, Malkin put the Pens ahead with a second power play goal.

4-3 Pens

Third Period:

The Rangers had to be pretty desperate. Two and half minutes in Malone made them even more desperate, redirecting a Letang slap shot past Lundqvist. The pens went into lockdown mode after that, killing a few penalties and surviving the onslaught.

5-3 Pens, Penguins lead the series 3-0

Interesting stats: Penguins were 2 of 3 on the power play, killed 5 of 5 penalties, and had more penalty minutes (18) than shots (17).