Last night’s Game 3 in the series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Power Rangers was a make or break game. If Pittsburgh won they would have a commanding 3-0 lead. If the Rangers won, they would have cut the series to 2-1, with another game at Madison Square Garden.

Pens Win!

Couldn’t have asked for a better game from a Pittsburgh perspective. We came out firing with Marian Hossa scoring less than 1:30 into the game. Completely took the air out of MSG and the Rangers fans had to be thinking, “Here we go again.”

The Pens continued their dominance with a 2-on-1 between Malkin and Sykora. Malkin passes it to Sykora, Sykora back to Malkin.

Wide-open net

Malkin pushes it past the far post.

2-0 would have been completely demoralizing to the Rangers.

But as luck would have it. The Rangers come down a few minutes later and get a goal of their own. An ex-Pittsburgh combo of Straka and Jagr.

Speaking of Jagr, can anyone tell me if that facial hair trend, the one where he has a hitler-stache that continues down into an extended soul patch, has ever been down before or if Double J is just a trend setter and soon that debacle will be everywhere.

Anyways, Jagr is completely in the net and Straka buries the puck past Marc-Andre Fleury.

As the crowd gets into the game, the Pens send out their 4th line of Max Talbot, Adam Hall and Big Georges Laraque.

One would think this line would just settle for a cycling of the puck, just to let the big guns get a breather.

One would be wrong. A pass from the boards comes to Laraque in front of the net and he buries it. Georges Laraque? Yes

Count it

2-1

Not too long after the USS Hal Gill is hit in the face and for the first time ever he showed he was human and bled.

4:00 Power Play

Pass to Malkin at the point.

Boom

Mark one up on the big board.

3-1.

Not too shabby for playing on the road.

The 2nd period started with two 5-on-3 powerplays for the Rangers.

No dice.

The pens behind some great playing by Jordan Staal and the defense kept the Rangers from scoring.

Tommy Callahan left the brake pad factory and decided to play some hockey when he snuck one in short side on Fleury.

Hey, I’ll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher’s ass by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn’t you rather to take his word for it?

Then only a few minutes later does the ‘stache man himself, come around the net and bury a puck over Fleury’s left shoulder.

An amazing shot, he’s done it for years.

3-3

Pens get a break when some clown boards Petr Sykora.

What a great way to give up your momentum you moron.

Anyways the power play was how it always is. On Fire.

Malkin get the puck on the wing.

Fakes a shot.

The guy next to me yells shoot the puck.

Malkin looks at the screen and says. “Shut it, buddy”

Gives a wink.

Tees it up.

Hey Lundqvist, look behind you.

4-3.

Period ends.

A one goal lead heading into the third is something that can wreck someones nerves, but having a lead is still awesome.

The third started off almost as well as the first

Malone clogs up the space in front of Lundqvist, angles his stick.

5-3

After some penalties, so New York wouldn’t complain that they were homered in their own home, the game was nearing the end.

The PA announcer let everyone in MSG that the Cash Cab was parked outside. A mad rush to the door.

I mean a cab ride to make money or watching your team go down 3-0. Not a hard choice.

One of those patrons who left the building happened to be Elvis.

The clock ticked and ticked.

GAME

Pens up 3-0 in the series.

7-0 in the playoffs

Who said they were too young.

Let’s Go Pens