The Penguins dominated the first two periods, but the Chicago Blackhawks came screaming back in what turned out to be a highly-entertaining (and, if you’re a Penguins fan, highly-nervewracking) third period. In the end, though, the Pens held on to win, 3-2.
The Blackhawks hit the ice in the third period looking like a different team, and they got quick goals from Jonathan Toews and Viktor Stalberg to cut the lead to one. (Stalberg was a major presence throughout the period.) They kept attacking after that, but Marc-Andre Fleury made save after save when it counted. The Pens had only a few serious scoring chances in the period – a breakaway by Jordan Staal and then a three-on-one a couple minutes later were the big ones. Mostly, it was all Blackhawks.
James Neal was called for his third penalty of the game, for tripping, with a minute and a half to go, and it looked increasingly likely that the Blackhawks would find a way to tie the game. In the end, though, Fleury and the Pens’ defense were able to stop them, and the Pens’ strong play in the first two periods (which featured goals by Chris Kunitz, Neal, and Tyler Kennedy) held up. Fleury finished with 36 saves.
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