Penguins/NHL
Montreal 3 – Pittsburgh 1
Jaroslav Halak made 38 saves and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in game 2 of the best-of-seven series.
The series is now tied 1-1 as the series shifts to Montreal for games 3 and 4.
Pittsburgh dominated play, out-shooting the Canadiens 39-21, including a 30-9 advantage in the final two periods. Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak was the difference maker and Montreal scored timely goals in stunning the Penguins at home.
The Canadiens have now won four road games in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh opened the scoring just 4:38 into the game on a goal by Matt Cooke but Halak shut the door for the final 55:22 of the game.
Brian Gionta scored at the 15:56 mark in the first period to tie the game at 1-1 and Montreal took a 2-1 lead in the second period on a power play goal by Mike Cammalleri.
The Canadiens had 3 shots in the second period, which was a period where the Penguins controlled the play, out-shooting Montreal 18-3.
Pittsburgh failed to score on three power play opportunities in the third period and Mike Cammalleri iced the game with a breakaway goal with just 2:54 remaining in the game.
Pittsburgh looking to send the game to over-time, turned the puck over in the neutral zone and Kris Letang misplayed the puck that went right to Cammalleri who came in all alone beating Marc Andre Fleury to give the Canadiens a two goal lead.
Despite out-shooting the Canadiens 12-6 in the third, Pittsburgh was flat in the period, especially on the power play.
Sidney Crosby was held scoreless for just the second time in the playoffs. Crosby was also a minus-2 in the game.
Marc Andre Fleury made 18 saves in the loss.
With 2:24 remaining in the game, 4th line center Craig Adams was awarded a 5 minute major and a 10-minute game misconduct for checking Marc Andre Bergeron from behind.
The hit will likely be reviewed by the league and Adams could face disciplinary action.
Game 3 is Tuesday night.
