Another great first period!

Detroit 1 Pittsburgh 1

Marian Hossa opened the scoring on a beautiful play as he faked going around the net and tucked it past a surprised Chris Osgood on the power play. Gary Roberts did a great job before that screening Osgood a la Tomas Holmstrom.

Nicklas Lidstrom tied the game at one as his point shot eluded the screened Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury was screened by teammate Ryan Malone just as the penalty to Pascal Dupuis expired.

No more scoring although there were plenty of chances as Detroit outshot the Penguins 14-9.

I was finally impressed with the play of Evgeni Malkin who looks comfortable on the ice. He made a beautiful pass to put Dupuis on a breakaway but Dupuis couldn't handle the puck.

Crosby also made a great behind the back pass to set up Malkin, but Osgood was equal to the situation.

The Penguins bettered the Red Wings on the draw as they won 11 of 19 in the first.

Seven of Detroit's 14 shots came from their defensemen including three by Brian Rafalski.

Gonchar and Hossa led Pittsburgh with two shots apiece.

A pair of 55's led in ice time. Gonchar led the Penguins in time on ice with 8:50 while Niklas Kronwall was tops on Detroit with 8:40.

Back after two.

No scoring in the second so the score remains 1-1.

Detroit was outshot 8-7 in the second period but still lead 21-17 after two.

Both goaltenders have been great in Game 4. The Penguins have to be getting a lot of confidence from the play of their young goaltender Fleury. It certainly bodes well for the future.

Lidstrom now leads both teams in ice time with 17:46, including 9:08 in the second. Gonchar continues to lead the Penguins with 15:59 minutes.

The Penguins were 7-8 in faceoffs, but still lead after two as they have won 18 of 34.

Back after the game.

Detroit 2 Pittsburgh 1 Final

Jiri Hudler's goal at the 2:26 mark of the third held up as the winner. Brad Stuart made a nice play to keep the puck in and passed it to Hudler who slipped it pass Fleury for the eventual winner.

Henrik Zetterberg made the defensive play of the game when the Red Wings were two men short. He tied up Crosby and prevented him from getting good wood on his shot, and then blocked what little shot Crosby did get, with his skate before the puck entered the net.

Detroit outshot the Penguins 9-6 in the third and 30-23 in the game.

The Red Wings now go home up three games to one and will play Game 5 on Monday at Joe Louis Arena with a great chance to wrap up the best-of-seven series and win the Stanley Cup.

See you on Monday.