The Vancouver Canucks have once again narrowed the lead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, this time with a goal from Keith Ballard in the waning moments of the second period. Ballard scored the goal on assists by Henrik and Daniel Sedin.
The Canucks were able to cut into the score in a penalty-laden second period that saw two Penguins and one Canuck spend time in the penalty box. For the Penguins, Evgeni Malkin landed in the penalty box for two minutes for elbowing Chris Higgins. Kris Letang also spent time in the penalty box when he hooked Henrik Sedin. Alex Burrows was the lone Canuck to visit the penalty box for holding Paul Martin.
The Penguins raced out to a 2-0 lead on two power-play goals by James Neal and Matt Cooke. After a Maxim Lapierre goal late in the first period, the Penguins answered early in the second period with another Matt Cooke goal, this time shorthanded. Ballard then answered to make the score 3-2 at the end of the second period. The Penguins have yet to score tonight with equal numbers on the ice.