May 24, 2009 7:04 am US/Eastern
Pens Defeat Canes 6-2, Take 3-0 Series Lead
RALEIGH, N.C. (KDKA/AP) ―
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Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores a goal past goaltender Cam Ward #30 and Joni Pitkanen #25 of the Carolina Hurricanes during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Championship Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 23, 2009.
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
With a 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins need just one more victory to make a second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Canes struck first in game three, but then the Pens answered scoring three of their own, including twice in the final minute of the first period.
They also added two goals in 40 seconds during the third to seal their fourth straight victory.
Evgeni Malkin followed up his hat trick in game 2 with two more goals plus an assist. In doing so, he has tied an NHL record for most consecutive multi-point games, which now stands at six in a row.
Captain Sidney Crosby also added a goal and an assist, while Ruslan Fedotenko and Bill Guerin both scored and Craig Adams was credited with an empty net goal.
The Pens now lead three games to none in the best of seven series.
"As a team, I think each line has done a great job of producing a lot of momentum, and when you put teams back on their heels a bit and the line before you goes out there and has a great shift you benefit from that," said Crosby. "Right now, I think that's why we're seeing a little bit of success is because everyone's helping each other in that way and individually guys are benefitting from that."
The one thing about this Penguins team is their desire to finish the job that was left unfinished with that tough six-game loss to the Detroit Red Wings during last year's Stanley Cup Final.
Crosby said after the game that it is important the team to stay focused on the tasks in front of them.
"Obviously, we know we have an opportunity now, but I don't think we've let ourselves get too far ahead," he said. "We've been focused on what we needed to do and I think we had a similar approach last year, but this year, maybe a little more experience helps. At the same time, it's still hard work and we're still not there. So, we're working hard, but I think we're just focusing on what we need to do right now in the present."
The Pens are now putting their attention toward game 4 on Tuesday night in Raleigh.
"The score is what it is, but it certainly doesn't feel that way on the bench," added Coach Dan Bylsma. "We know that their team is going to keep working and keep coming at us and we know that their building is going to make it a hard place to be along with their team on Tuesday."
Stay with KDKA for the latest on the Penguins playoff run!
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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