DETROIT – At first, it looked like perhaps the most spectacular save of Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray’s career.
Upon further review, it was a goal for Detroit Red Wings winger Tyler Bertuzzi.
It was a pivotal moment in the game as the Red Wings scored a 4-1 victory Tuesday night that prevented the Penguins from clinching a playoff spot for the 13th consecutive year.
With the Red Wings on a first-period power play, Andreas Athanasiou skated in alone on net at the left post and made a backdoor pass to Bertuzzi on the right side for a shot into an essentially empty cage. Murray lunged back to his left and made a diving desperation glove save at the goal line.
“It was a hell of a save,” coach Mike Sullivan said.
The goal counts, but that stretch effort by @mattmurray_30 was unbelievable. ?#IceSurfing pic.twitter.com/OLsPQ656MX
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 3, 2019
At the next stoppage in play, officials gathered at the penalty box to take a look at the video. It showed the puck in the webbing of Murray’s glove completely across the goal line.
It wasn’t a save after all.
“I didn’t think it would be (a goal), but they were obviously sure about it,” Murray said. “It’s out of my control. If it’s a goal, it’s a goal, I guess.”
The goal was reminiscent of one Evgeni Malkin scored in the same net in the same building on Dec. 31 of last season. Detroit’s Jimmy Howard made an improbably glove stop on a shot from the right circle, but replays showed the puck crossed the goal line while in his glove.
Bertuzzi’s goal capped off the only power play the Red Wings had in the game. The Penguins failed to score on their two chances, falling to 2 for 22 with the man advantage over the past nine games.
That’s a problem, captain Sidney Crosby said.
“Power play, special teams, we’ve got to find a way to win that battle,” he said.
