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In a vacuum, even though Game 6 for the Pittsburgh Penguins was a loss, it wasn't really that bad of a game (especially for the final 53 minutes of the game). The Pens lost, mainly as a result of Henrik Lundqvist performing at his highest level. They had a ton of chances, 37 shots on goal, 68 total shot attempts and it only got them one measly goal. And even that goal was a fortunate result of a double deflection off of both Lundqvist's defensemen.
So, in a vacuum, you can live with that loss. It was a hard fought game, a tight game, and one the Pens just didn't come out on the right side of. They got in an early 2-0 hole in the first 6:53. First, Marc-Andre Fleury couldn't control a rebound (a common series trend) off an Antron Stralman shot, which Derek Stepan collected and threw to the net where it hit off of Martin St. Louis and ended up in the net.
Then on another series trend, outright liability Rob Scuderi proved to be a liability again when he couldn't stop quickly enough and get back in the play on a loose puck, but the speedier Carl Hagelin could. Mike Lange on the radio killed Scuderi a little more for it than I would have, but dem the breaks. Scuderi was victimized yet again, after his partner Robert Bortuzzo pinched in for what looked like a pretty good chance, but the pass didn't connect and the puck went the other way.
The Pens would give themselves a chance, when Brandon Sutter 's shot ricocheted into the net. It was 2-1 and at least Pittsburgh was a shot away from being tied.
On this night, that shot would never come. Later in the second period, Fleury couldn't corral a point shot and lunged to cover it, he didn't quite get there and Derrick Brassard beat him to the punch.
That would be it for the scoring. Try as they may, the Pens had nothing for Lundqvist who tracked the puck extremely well and made several great saves down the stretch to have the lead hold up.
So, just like that, we find ourselves going to Game 7 in this series to decide it. The Pens were very strong early in the series, but the Rangers have found an extra level of desperation- and more importantly execution- that Pittsburgh just hasn't been able to match in the past two games. That will obviously have to change on Tuesday night, or the Pens season will be over.