PITTSBURGH -
The Big Three refused to let the Pittsburgh Penguins fall into another big hole.
Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Jordan Staal put the Penguins on their backs Thursday and carried them to a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings that completely changed the complexion of this Stanley Cup final.
Just days ago, they arrived home facing a big deficit. They'll head back to Detroit with new life and the series tied 2-2.
"These last couple at home have been desperation from us," said Crosby. "It's going to be like that all the way through here."
It's only fitting that the three young centres stepped up in the franchise's biggest victory since Mario Lemieux last brought the Stanley Cup here in 1992. Malkin, Crosby and Staal were top draft picks in consecutive years from 2004 to 2006 and have been catalysts for the Penguins resurgence.
The big momentum changer in Game 4 was a short-handed goal by Staal in the second period that tied the game and brought Mellon Arena to life. Crosby and Tyler Kennedy then followed with goals over a span of 5:37 that likely saved the Penguins season.
