ECQF Game 6 recap: Pittsburgh Penguins (4) at Tampa Bay Lightning (5)

by Clark J Brooks on Apr 26, 2011 12:24 AM EDT in Game Recaps

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 25: The Tampa Bay Lightning salute the fans after a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the St. Pete Times Forum on April 25, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

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The Lightning finally gave the home fans something to cheer about...at home.

In what has been a bizarre trend throughout this year's NHL's playoffs, home ice has been anything but an advantage, with road teams winning 24 of 42 games (.571) going into Monday night. Tampa Bay bucked that trend by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 in front of a crowd of 20,309 at the St. Pete Times Forum to force a series-deciding Game 7.

Bucking trends was the theme of the night for the Lightning, as they overcame an early 1-0 deficit, becoming the first team to win after surrendering the opening tally. When Sean Bergenheim scored at 5:44 in the second period, it was the first time the Lightning had held a lead at home. Not to be outdone, Teddy Purcell (who scored the early equalizer), Steve Downie and Ryan Malone all scored their first goals of the series.

Dwayne Roloson was solid in net, in spite of an early puckhandling mishap that led to the Penguins scoring their first goal, stopping 27 of 29 shots, including a penalty shot from Chris Conner midway through the second that would have tied the game at two.

That seemed to swing the momentum solidly behind Tampa Bay and they outplayed the Penguins in several facets over the rest of the game. They blocked twice as many shots (26 to 13), won 35 of 58 faceoffs and held a 29 to 22 edge in hits.

When it was all over, the Lightning had dug themselves out of the 3-1 series deficit they were in to force the deciding Game 7 in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night. One trend the Lightning hope to continue is their undefeated record in Game 7s. This will be the third one in the history of the Lightning, having successfully gone the distance twice in 2004 (conference finals vs Philadelphia and Stanley Cup finals vs Calgary). Although, as far as coach Guy Boucher is concerned, you don't have to go that far back:

"We just played two Game 7s because that is the position we are in. That fifth game was a do or die for us and that sixth game was a do or die. The seventh game for us is a do or die. We just played two."

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Just a great win

The fact that they’ve pushed this series to a Game 7 after falling behind 3-1 is simply amazing. This team has a lot of heart.

Sons of Plunder

by Gatorbuc15 on Apr 26, 2011 1:52 AM EDT reply actions

It's moments like this that thrills you

you can’t help but love this team..It’s the same effort like in 04, the chemistry , the stubbornness in every single shift…It’s just amazing…It’s moments like this that make you forget the chaos with owners coaches bad players etc…. no matter what happens in game 7 we’re proud of you..you showed heart and pride and that’s all a fan can ask for..thanks guys

by Penaholic on Apr 26, 2011 7:08 AM EDT reply actions

Thank you, as well..

Not often Pens/fans show some class. However, it’s NOT over yet, haha. Looking forward to Game 7!! Been helluva series!!

A.K.A.- "DetroitALLtheWay09" ...Was time for a new name, to better represent BOTH my teams!! Plus that was my OG name from the '09 Play-Off run.. which didn't end so well. IN YZERMAN WE TRUST!! LET'S DO THIS!!

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Apr 26, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

My nickname refers to Carlos PENA not the PENS ;)

I’m a diehard bolts fan , but however I appreciate your comment :)

by Penaholic on Apr 26, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

oops..

Sorry ;) …Could have (did) fooled me.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Apr 26, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

you're not the first one buddy ;)

by Penaholic on Apr 26, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

You might want to consider adding a signature – just for playoffs, if nothing else. ;o)

The ways of Jedi Master Yzerman are not the ways of others.
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Apr 26, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Play of the Game for me was Roli’s three stops on Dupuis and Talbot. The Pens were surging after Staal tied the game a few moments before. Talbot broke in behind the Bolts D and Roli denied his shot and Dupuis’ two rebound attempts. The Bolts clear the zone, and Downie ends up scoring.

Had Talbot/Dupuis scored, the score would have been 3-2 Pens with half a period to go.

Great game by the Good Guys!

by MTBoltFan on Apr 26, 2011 8:13 AM EDT reply actions

I think it was 2 Shots by DuPuis, but whatever

it was a turning point – and Downie scoring 20 seconds later was major.

as the game went on the Bolts got stronger, much like the series.

as Penaholic says, whatever happens game 7 I’m proud of the Lightning. I think they’ve made a statement that this team will be around for a while…

by tampa_edski on Apr 26, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions

absolutely agreed

by Incipient_Senescence on Apr 26, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions

What a game..

And what a statement!! Can’t wait for Game 7!! I LOVE THE PLAYOFFS!! ….especially when we show up to play.

by Let's JOE WINGS-BOLTS on Apr 26, 2011 10:07 AM EDT reply actions

Lots of people already saying that it was a good run, even if we lose

Which is absolutely true, and if we lose, I’ll jump on the “fought hard and did us proud” bandwagon. But until then, BEAT THE PENGUINS! DON’T GO HOME! One game, boys. One game.

by Incipient_Senescence on Apr 26, 2011 11:31 AM EDT reply actions