Penguins rally from three-goal deficit
Evgeni Malkin deflected Sidney Crosby’s one-timer from the right point on a Pittsburgh power play with 1:41 remaining to finish a frantic comeback, and the Penguins rallied from a three-goal deficit against the New York Rangers for a 5-4 victory in their second-round playoff series opener Friday night in Pittsburgh.
Petr Sykora and Marian Hossa scored 20 seconds apart early in the third period during Pittsburgh’s second such flurry of their rally, and the Penguins shook off Scott Gomez’s tying goal midway through the period for one of best comeback victories in their playoff history.
The Rangers lost for the first time in four road games in these playoffs, an unexpected ending after they seized the momentum and, it seemed, control of the game with a 3-0 lead that looked safe with star Henrik Lundqvist in net.
Game 2 is Sunday in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins have yet to lose in three playoff games after sweeping Ottawa in the first round.
Just when it appeared the two Atlantic Division rivals were headed to overtime, one of the many former Penguins who played a key role in the game, Martin Straka, was called for interference with 3:20 remaining.
Crosby took Ryan Whitney’s pass and, shooting from a little beyond his normal range from a few feet behind the right circle, put a slap shot on net that deflected off Malkin’s shin guard for the Penguins’ only power-play goal.
The play was briefly reviewed to make sure Malkin didn’t kick the puck into the net.
Stars 3, Sharks 2 (OT): At San Jose, Calif., Brenden Morrow scored his second goal of the night 4:39 into overtime and Dallas opened its second-round series with a victory over the Sharks.
Mike Modano also scored, while Marty Turco made 25 saves in the Stars’ seventh win in their last eight trips to Silicon Valley.
Game 2 is Sunday night in San Jose.
Around the league
Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is a finalist for the Frank Selke Trophy, which honors a forward for defensive work. New Jersey Devils center John Madden and Detroit left wing Henrik Zetterberg are the other finalists based on the vote of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. … Colorado Avalanche forward Wojtek Wolski will not play in Game 2 against Detroit because of an upper-body injury. … John H. McConnell, owner of the Blue Jackets, died in Columbus, Ohio. He was 84.