The Pittsburgh Penguins, fighting for home-ice advantage in the first round of the NHL playoffs, lead the Boston Bruins 2-1 after 20 minutes at TD Garden. The Pens jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Boston, which has secured a spot as Northeast Division champions.
The Pens took a 1-0 lead on Sidney Crosby's sixth goal of the season. Crosby ripped a shot from the left circle that hit off the far post and ricocheted into the back of the net behind Marty Turco. Pascal Dupuis was credited with the assist, extending his points streak to 15 games.
Pittsburgh added another goal when Steve Sullivan jumped up from his defensemen's spot and rushed to the front of the net. Sullivan tried to put a shot on goal and as he made a mad dash to the net, the puck flipped up in front of his stick and he incidentally knocked it in with the end of his stick and glove. The play was reviewed to determine if he made a deliberate motion with the glove, but the goal was upheld.
Boston would cut the lead in half when Benoit Pouliot beat Brent Johnson on a snazzy backhand move for his 15th goal of the year. The play was set up when Sullivan blocked a Brian Rolston shot at the blue line but had to hobble off to the bench after taking the puck right on the leg. Pouliot picked up the loose puck and the charged towards the net, capitalizing on the one-man advantage.
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