Penguins-Canadiens: Montreal Misses An Opportunity.

After splitting the first two games in Pittsburgh, the Montreal Canadiens had the Pittsburgh Penguins where they wanted before Game Three of this exciting series.

A glorious chance to take the lead in the series was wasted Tuesday evening at the Bell centre by the Canadiens.

Backed by an electrifying crowd, the Canadiens stormed out of the gates but were unable to solve goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury who was spectacular on a couple of occasions. Fleury stopped everything, kept his best save of the game for Scott Gomez halfway into the third period, and even received a little help from his best friends, the goal posts. Pittsburgh's goaltender was awarded the first star of the game.

The Penguins registered only three shots on Jaroslav Halak's goal during the entire first period but adjusted their game plan before the start of the second frame. Their collective play worked a lot better from that point on as they held Montreal to a handful of shots during the last two periods.

Evgeni Malkin broke the scoreless tie early into the third period during a man advantage. His powerful and precise shot from the top of the circles squeezed it's way in the net an inch under Halak's glove hand.

Pascal Dupuis sealed the deal for the Penguins with an empty net goal.

Final score: Pittsburgh Penguins 2 - Montreal Canadiens 0 (Pittsburgh leads the series by 2-1.)

The Canadiens will desperatly try to even up the series Thursday evening at the Bell centre. The team will have to find a way to beat Fleury and register more shots as Pittsburgh elevated their play in the shots blocked department during Game Three.

(Picture: Canadian Press.)