By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
PITTSBURGH — Lightning coach Guy Boucher was hesitant to name one player he expected to be a difference maker in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
"The last thing we want to do is pinpoint anybody to have all the pressure to make the big play," Boucher said. "It's a flag that has to be carried by everybody."
Mostly, though, by the goaltender, and Dwayne Roloson was up to the task in Tampa Bay's 1-0 victory over the Penguins at the Consol Energy Center on Wednesday.
The 41-year-old Roloson made 36 saves, and made Sean Bergenheim's second-period goal stand up, as the Lightning, with its third straight win and third road win, became the 24th NHL team to win a seven-game series after trailing three games to one.
It faces Southeast Division rival Washington in the conference semifinals, which begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the Capitals.
Roloson has been a beast when it counts most. The victory makes him 6-0 in elimination games in his career and 2-0 in Game 7s. It was his second postseason shutout.
The Lightning penalty kill was again stout, killing five chances and 34-of-35 in the series, and Bergenheim and Dominic Moore combined on the same give-and-go play that led to a goal in Game 6. Moore carried behind the Penguins' net and dropped a little back pass to Bergenheim at the right post for his third goal of the playoffs 5:41 into the second.
But it was Roloson who was the standout, and outdueled Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, as the Lightning was outshot for the seventh time in the series, 36-23 in the game and 257-180 overall.
Aided by two power plays on which they had a combined six shots, Pittsburgh had a huge territorial advantage in the first period and led 15-7 in shots.
Roloson was superb in his positioning and quickness, and stymied the Penguins, who had several prime chances. Fleury did his part as well, one of his best saves being on Simon Gagne's through-the-legs re-direct of Nate Thompson's centering pass with 45 seconds left.
But Roloson was the period's star. He stopped Jordan Staal's snap shot from the slot while losing his stick. He got a break when Chris Kunitz fired wide on a breakaway.
He was sharpest during a four-shot Penguins power play that included Alex Kovalev's sneaky wrist shot to the short side that Roloson gloved with 6:50 remaining.
There was a scary moment with 9:53 remaining when Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund hit Max Talbot from behind and Talbot's face seemed to hit the top of the side boards. There was no call from the referees, and the crowd protested loudly.
Talbot left the game.
The Lightning evened out the play a bit in the second period, outshooting Pittsburgh 11-7 and taking a 1-0 lead on Bergenheim's goal off the feed from Moore.
It would have been 2-0 if not for a terrific save by Fleury on Pavel Kubina, who with 9:42 left and on a power play, whistled a wrist shot at the top right corner. But Fleury sprawled to his left and got his glove on the puck.
Pittsburgh had a decent chance on Pascal Dupuis' partial breakaway during a Tampa Bay power play. Dupuis, guarded by Eric Brewer, got off a decent backhand that went into Roloson's chest with 9:04 remaining.