The Best Regular Season Penguins Game in 2008

Original image from: Daylife/AP Photo.

Over the next few days we will take a look back at 2008 by revealing the results of our Best of 2008 Survey. Thanks to everyone who voted.

It was a small measure of revenge. When the Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals, it hurt. When free agent Marian Hossa chose to sign with those same Red Wings less than a month later, it hurt even more. When the Red Wings built up a 5-2 lead in their first regular season match-up with the Penguins following the Stanley Cup Finals, Penguins fans all over the world were ready to slit their wrists.

And then Jordan Staal took over the game.

The best regular season Penguins game in 2008 as voted by you is the Penguins 7-6 overtime victory against the Red Wings.

It was November 11th when the Penguins entered Joe Louis Arena for the first time since losing in the Stanley Cup Finals. It was also the first time they would play against their former star winger, Marian Hossa.

Jordan Staal scored a hat trick and added an assist on the overtime winner as the Penguins overcame a three-goal deficit to win the game.

Our original game recap is here. As I said in that recap, "If there's ever a situation where you need to convince a non-hockey fan that they should start watching hockey, show them this game."

It definitely deserves the title of "Best Regular Season Penguins Game in 2008."