Stanley Cup Finals: Game Three Live Blog

8:14 PM- It's only pre-game and I'm already sick of NBC talking about Crosby.

8:17 PM- When NBC said the game was starting at 8 PM, they apparently meant it'll start sometime after 8. It's 8:18 now, and they're in their third commercial break already. I wonder if the game will ever start.

8:20 PM- Marc-Andre Fleury did not fall flat on his face this game! That's an improvement! Puck finally drops at 8:20.

8:22 PM- It looks like all the complaining Michel Therrien did after game two is already paying off.

8:24 PM- Pittsburgh comes close a couple times, but Chris Osgood answers. Detroit killed off the powerplay, and Jordan Staal promptly draws a roughing penalty. I'm keeping track of these tonight, maybe they'll top the eight they had last game. Pitt Roughing Penalties: 1

8:28 PM- Pittsbugh and Detroit have each successfully killed off their first penalty. Whistle blows, and pushing and shoving ensues. Three Penguins against one Red Wing. That seems about right. Penguins only have spine when they have numbers.

8:30 PM- Pittsburgh forwards just cannot get any space in the middle of the ice. As soon as they get out to center, Detroit just swarms to them. It's pretty effective.

8:31 PM- Detroit gets a chance, good save by Fleury. Crosby had a step the other way, but was quickly neutralized.

8:33 PM- During the commercial break, I flipped to the Phillies game. It's 1-1 in the fifth inning. The Phils have already drawn six walks. Only two hits tonight though, after 46 in the previous three games. EDIT: Chase Utley hits a second deck three run homer as I write.

8:37 PM- Every time Pittsburgh tries to counter attack the Red Wings defense just shuts them down. It's not that Pittsburgh is even playing sloppy, the Red Wings defense is just that good.

8:39 PM- Geoff Jenkins hits a two run homer for the Phillies. Another big inning this week for the Phils.

8:40 PM- First in game interview with Michel Therrien. The guy is such a douche.

8:41 PM- Finally some offensive chances! ...and just like that, it's over.

8:42 PM- Pittsburgh takes their second penalty of the game. This one for hooking.

8:44 PM- Interesting tidbit- Detroit is 1/15 on the powerplay. They would have blown Pittsburgh out in both games if their PP was even a little better.

8:46 PM- Pittsburgh has killed it, but can't clear. Detroit is now 1/16 on the PP.

8:49 PM- Pittsburgh gets their best chances of the game, but a couple of nice saves by Osgood, and some very active sticks by the defense keeps the puck out of the net.

8:52 PM- Detroit turns the puck over at the blue line and Crosby manages to trickle one through for their first goal of the series.

8:55 PM- Detroit called for their second penalty of the game. Pittsburgh could gain a huge advantage here if they score.

8:57 PM- Pittsburgh nearly scores at the end of the period, but the shot hit Nick Lindstrom in the butt and went wide. The announcer has now referred to Crosby as Cindy Crosby twice accidentally now. It's a world-wide phenomenon.

9:01 PM- Colorado pitcher Greg Reynolds finishes the night with eight walks, six runs allowed on five hits.

9:16 PM- Aaaaaand we're back. Pens nearly score again, but the breaks aren't going their way.

9:17 PM- Detroit 2/2 on penalty kills tonight, but they're going back on the kill. Kronwall called for hooking. A bit weak in my opinion.

9:19 PM- Cindy strikes again. PP goal for the Pens. Three Pens down low to one Wing makes it tough on Osgood.

9:21 PM- Now Detroit is the one that can't get anything going in the offensive zone. Fleury has turned away a few weak shots, but really hasn't been tested tonight.

9:24 PM- Referee in the corner gets tripped and falls to the ice. Osgood makes two HUGE saves. The Pens are swarming. Detroit needs to regroup, the t.v. timeout couldn't have come at a better time.

9:27 PM- I'm not a big Chris Draper fan, but he put a nice hip check on Crosby there.

9:29 PM- Kennedy throws a late hit after a clear icing. No call.

9:30 PM- Michel Therrien complaining about the refs calls again, no surprise there.

9:32 PM- Hal Gill mugs Thomas Holmstrom in front of net, Detroit goes back on the powerplay. Two for cross-checking.

9:33 PM- Detroit with instant pressure, but nothing to show for it.

9:35 PM- Detroit scores, but only after the net was off the moorings. Pittsburgh's penalty killing is walking a fine line.

9:37 PM- Pittsburgh kills off another penalty. Detroit is 1 for 17 on the PP this series. Atrocious.

9:39 PM- Mike Babcock remains unflustered despite his team being outplayed. Interesting.

9:40 PM- Cindy has a hit tonight! His first all season. He gets a gold star!

9:41 PM- Gill back in for mugging/cross checking again. Therrien is irate, though it's an obvious penalty.

9:45 PM- Johan Franzen dipsy doodles around three guys and roofs it. Beautiful.

9:49 PM- Therrien, you can't complain, Jordan Staal just got away with a clear high stick. Also, I wish the announcers would pronounce his name right. It's "Me-shell" not "My-kull".

9:54 PM- Pittsburgh wins the first half the period, Detroit wins the second half. 2-1 Penguins after two.

9:56 PM- Phillies win 6-1 for their first sweep of the season.

10:13 PM- It looks like we're finally getting ready for the third period. It should be a good one.

10:18 PM- Hossa clangs one off the post. Osgood then stops a deflection by Pascal Dupuis. Crosby gets tangled up after the play and starts mouthing off after the refs get in between him and the other player. Classic Cindy.

10:20 PM- Franzen gets a great shot of, but a nice shoulder save by Fleury keeps the lead intact.

10:21 PM- Brian Rafalski gets a wide open slapper and misses the net.

10:22 PM- Crosby slashes Rafalski's stick and breaks his own, refs called that a penalty against Derian Hatcher in the Montreal series...

10:24 PM- Adam Hall shoots the puck off the back of Osgood's legs for a 3-1 lead. Detroit needs to dig down deep now.

10:25 PM- Detroit takes a shot that looks like it hits the back of the net, but apparently never went in.

10:29 PM- Detroit just can't keep a handle on the puck tonight. End to end action for the past eight minutes though, exciting game.

10:30 PM- Apparently Fleury made the save, the puck didn't hit the post. Amazing.

10:33 PM- Mikael Samuelsson makes it a one goal game again!

10:35 PM- Gill cross checks Holmstrom hard from behind, injuring his back. No penalty though, it's only the third time Gill has made that play tonight.

10:40 PM- Evgeni Malkin takes an offensive zone penalty with just over four minutes left in the game. Smart move.

10:44 PM- The difference in this game? Detroit's inability to score on the powerplay.

10:46 PM- Detroit has good puck movement, no shots.

10:48 PM- Penguins hold on at the end to win. Oh well, it'll be their last.

Final Score: Penguins 3, Red Wings 2

NBC will now commence with the requisite Cindy loving.