Osgood’s Series Shutout Foiled

By A.J. Perez

PITTSBURGH — Sprawling behind his net, Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood took a swipe at the puck in the third period, only to have it slide over to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Adam Hall.

Hall eventually banked it off the back of Osgood’s leg in what turned out to be the game-winner Wednesday. It was a rare miscue for Osgood, who had been flawless in the first two games.

“I was caught in no-man’s land,” Osgood said. “He made a nice play. He waited for me. I was in the middle of nowhere. It happens.”

Just not in the first two games of the series. Osgood’s shutout streak was snapped at 154 minutes, 58 seconds on Sidney Crosby’s first of two goals. The three goals he allowed were the most since Game 4 of the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars on May 14.

“He looked fine,” Detroit defenseman Brian Rafalski said. “The first goal was off a turnover. The second goal was on a power play. The third goal was a bad bounce.”

Holmstrom’s services missing late

Detroit forward Tomas Holmstrom didn’t play the final 6:23 of regulation when he landed awkwardly after a check by Pittsburgh’s Hal Gill.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock and general manager Ken Holland said afterward that they didn’t know Holmstrom’s status. Holmstrom, who has four goals and eight assists in the playoffs, didn’t talk to reporters after the game.

A penalty wasn’t called on the play and the referees appeared to have missed a high stick by Pittsburgh’s Jordan Staal in the second period.

“I don’t know why no one saw it,” Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. “It chipped my tooth and cut my lip open. I don’t know if the referee was behind me or didn’t see it, but those things happen.”

Veteran Sydor has successful return

Veteran Pittsburgh defenseman Darryl Sydor, who hadn’t played since March 31, played 13:31 and probably earned another start with his steady play.

At one point, Detroit had outshot Pittsburgh 9-1. “And he jumped up into the play, and we get three or four chances after he got an initial backhand,” Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said. “That sparked us. Everyone got going after that.”

Contributing: Kevin Allen

*Kevin Allen checks in with news and analysis throughout the Finals at allen.usatoday.com. (c) Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.