Penguins rally in third but lose in shootout

The Penguins come out full throttle to start the period. Evgeni Malkin, and the trio of Bill Guerin, Sidney Crosby, and Chris Kunitz both have good chances. Mason makes an unreal save on Malkin and Penguins fans are overwhelmed by a feeling that this is going to be a long game. Pascal Dupuis received a great pass from Malkin but he just could not finish.

Raffi Torres gets an incredible chance on Marc-Andre Fleury but Fleury makes an even better save.

Jared Boll is called for delay of game as the puck goes over the glass. About midway through the penalty, Chris Kunitz is called for high-sticking Rich Nash in the face. Kristian Huselius hits the back of the net.

Brooks Orpik is called for hooking and the Penguins are back on the penalty kill. They kill it without too much trouble. There’s a scrum after the whistle involving half the players on the ice. Somehow, Max Talbot is called for roughing
Sidney Crosby went into the zone shorthanded but Steve Mason made a great save on Crosby’s backhand.


New Blue Jacket Antoine Vermette makes waves as he goes to the net but he doesn’t get a good chance. Fleury makes a right pad save on Mike Commodore.

Matt Cooke is called for interference when Jared Boll dived along the bored. Stupid penalty.

The Penguins look like they’re asleep. All except Fleury who stood on his head against a volley of shots. Penalty killed.

Crosby and Guerin miscommunicate and kill a great play.

Marc-Andre Fleury made a save and gave back a rebound. Then he reached his glove back and grabbed the rebound shot from RJ Umberger. Save of the game.

Behind the net, Michael Peca gets into it with Kris Letang but not before punching Rob Scuderi in the face. Incredibly, no penalty is called.

Penguins have a line out of Kunitz-Staal-Malkin. Orpik is there for support and the boys make some things happen but there is no play that is too exciting.

Max Talbot chases the puck down and saves a goal. Soon after that, the Penguins lose the puck behind the net and the Vermette gets it back to Williams who backhands it in.

Right then, Kris Letang is called for roughing as he retaliated after a BJ comes at him for a huge hit he laid on the BJ by the benches. CBJs have their fifth power play of the game.

Talbot grabbed the puck off a BJ behind the net and he was right in front of the net but Mason was having none of that and made the save.


The Penguins are going to have to come out big to get back into the game.

Antoine Vermette scores. Mason adds insult to injury as he robs Tyler Kennedy.

Jordan Staal draws a penalty on Mike Commodore for hooking. Rick Nash goes shorthanded but nothing happens with that. Crosby and Fedotenko both have good chances but Mason will not let anything by.

Malkin makes a play and ends up running right over Steve Mason. He was pushed by both Columbus defenseman into the netminder but he is called for goal tender interference. Penguins on the penalty kill once again. They kill it again.

Penguins get a power play as someone slashes Crosby. Sergei Gonchar slaps one from the point but Mason grabs it. Tyler Kennedy draws a penalty on Fedor Tyutin.

Gonchar with the slapper again but this time it's in. At first it looked like Chris Kunitz had deflected it in, but the official goal goes to Gonchar.

This could be another comeback.

Evgeni Malkin grabs the puck and wrapped it around quick. Mason saved that but Pascal Dupuis gobbles up the rebound and roofed it: his first goal in 25 games. Incredible. The cheer in Columbus’ arena is “LET’S GO PENGUINS!”

Gonchar is hit with a shot by a BJ and has to go to the bench.

Sidney Crosby chipped the puck along the boards to Evgeni Malkin who made a blind pass to Max Talbot. Talbot pops it in under Mason’s arm.

Malkin and Fedotenko go into the Columbus zone. Commodore demolishes Malkin and then smacks Malkin’s face into the crossbar. Amazingly, no call again.

Matt Cooke went in with a backhander but Steve Mason was able to snatch the puck out of the air with a dive, reaching back behind him.

Marc-Andre Fleury makes a fantastic save on Michael Peca with less than a minute to go. Overtime, here we come.

Jordan Staal feeds it up to Sergei Gonchar who sets up Chris Kunitz. His wrister rings off the post. Kris Letang rushes at the net and Mason is out of position. Letang with the open net and…Mason makes the save.

Third straight shootout.
Williams: Fleury save
Letang: Mason save
Nash: Fleury save
Crosby: Mason save
Husalius: score
Malkin: Mason save
Loss…but the Penguins escape with one point.


THOUGHTS:
--Any other goalie and this easily becomes a win.
--Pascal Dupuis scores for the first time in 25 games. Thank God.
--Mark Eaton showed up tonight. Big time.
--Only played 20 perfect minutes.
--Max Talbot with a beautiful tying goal.
--Evgeni Malkin. One incredible player. Intensity.