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Congrats to the Penguins. And cheers to all Canadians who don’t freak out when someone cusses moments after winning the greatest prize in all of professional sports.

More video… the final seconds / Fleury’s two greatest saves of 2009.

Thanks to degen in the swamp for the links.

Dude in the red was having an unhappy moment in that pic. And then some. No poker face he.

Down 2-1 in the second period, and two games to one in the Finals, Pittsburgh unleashed a three goal fusillade in a six minute span to grab a 4-2 lead, a score which stood to the end as the Penguins evened the series at two games a piece.

The final goal of the night came on a sick passing sequence reminiscent of an NHL video game. Absolutely staggering stick and puck teamwork and skill from the Penguins. The last few games in front of the home crowd, the youthful Penguins have had the better of the play. In fact, arguably, they were the slightly better team in Detroit in Game 1.

A crucial Game 5 looms. The way Pittsburgh is playing at home at this point, if they can steal Game 5, then this may be wrapped up in six. If not, this series is going seven.

And didn’t even need the “wah wah” peddle to do it.

Pittsburgh 4. Detroit 2. Until someone wins a road game the Cup hasn’t started…

Detroit has held serve, winning the first two games at Joe Louis arena. Craig Custance at Sporting News looks at the first two games and happily observes a new rivalry springing to life as Pittsburgh has gone down fighting so far:

“They obviously don’t like us, we don’t like them,” Pittsburgh forward Pascal Dupuis said. “It’s playoff time right now, so 20 seconds left in the game, what happened, happened.”

What happened? With 19 seconds remaining, two of the biggest stars in the series, Henrik Zetterberg and Malkin, exchanged punches after Zetterberg took exception to the Penguins — mostly Talbot — whacking at goalie Chris Osgood. Zetterberg ducked a big swing from Malkin and ended up on top of the Russian, although it’s hard to say anyone won the fight between two players who seldom drop their gloves. Zetterberg guessed it was the first time he has ever received a five-minute major for fighting.

Detroit’s big rookie, Jonathan Ericsson, one of the few Red Wings who actually does fight, liked what he saw from Zetterberg. “Z’s a strong man from Sweden and took care of him,” Ericsson said, smiling. Zetterberg wasn’t gloating about the fight, and seemed more embarrassed than anything. Malkin didn’t address the media.

It was old school good stuff. And I still think this one is a long way from over.

Detroit 3. Pittsburgh 1. And the 1-0 series lead to the defending champs.

That was an entertaining and physical hockey game. Detroit was better in all the little ways that mattered (face offs, physical play) and the big ways too (goalie play, final score). Even more good news for Detroit? Health is returning.

As for the Penguins, there are should be no surprises. They should know from last year first hand what it will take to beat a good and veteran team like Detroit has. And they would be well advised to apply whatever lessons they drew from their Finals loss a year ago as soon as possible. Ron Cook in the Pittsburgh Post is unconcerned, maintaining that the Penguins are the better team and that will show itself as the series progresses.

We shall see. They are back at it in an unusual quick turnaround for Game 2 today at 8:00 est.

Detroit 2. Chicago 1. OT. Wings put the Western Conference on ice, and look ahead to the Stanley Cup rematch with the Penguins starting on Saturday.

Darren Helm distinguished himself for the Wings last night. And then some.

That sets up a dream (re)match-up with Pittsburgh. Has Pittsburgh’s time come? I think it has. That series is going to go long, but in the end, I think the Penguins prevail in six.

The blink and you missed it Eastern Conference Finals are over. 4-1 Pittsburgh win and a series sweep. The good news for the NHL? If Detroit can close out Chicago tonight in the fifth game of the Western Finals, then the start of the Stanley Cup Finals will be moved up to Saturday. Otherwise, everyone will be sitting around to June 5th for the playoffs to resume. Which would be ill-advised, it seems to me.

As for the Penguins, that is a rather focused team waiting on what is likely to be Detroit for a Stanley Cup rematch. It may not go as well for Detroit this time around…

Wings/Black Hawks drop puck in the Western Finals today at 3:00 on NBC. Detroit took four of the six games between the two this year, including the outdoor game in Wrigley Field. Vets vs. youth? Experience vs. exuberance? Not sure that any easy storyline fits, but I will be disappointed if there are not a series of extremely exciting and relatively high scoring games in this Finals.

Stan Mikita and Gordie Howe references are probably not optional.

Hurricanes/Penguins drop puck in the Eastern Finals tomorrow at 7:30 on VS. The teams are predicting a series marked by fast, aggressive, and attacking hockey. Swizzle. Make it so.

Bruins 4. Carolina 2.

Dan Shaugnhessy tasked to paint pictures with words for the Globe. He says stuff about how cool it is to host a game seven. And gets paid for it.

Anaheim 2. Detroit 1. Jonas Hiller rediscovers his inner stonewall and stops 38 Red Wings shots to get he and his teammates another flight to Detroit.

As it should.

Rare is the series that has the hype this one did that lives up to its billing. But this one has. Washington staves off elimination with a 5-4 win over the Pens, the refs, and apparently the will of the NHL offices on the road last night in Pittsburgh. Well, maybe not the will of the NHL offices, as the ratings for this series are robust. At the least, it appeared that way, as Pittsburgh got the benefit of several questionable calls giving it some fortuitous power plays and still couldn’t quite put the Caps away. And, in OT, Washington finishes the deal.

So, Wednesday, back in DC, resolution will arrive to a fantastic series. If we are all lucky, it goes to multiple overtimes…