Here we go again! Nashville outplayed Pittsburgh but Pittsburgh got the right shots in at the right times and took it the game from them. Nashville responds greatly towards losses and has not lost two straight in the playoffs. If Pittsburgh manages to put in even more offensive effort, then they could change things for Nashville.
Thoughts: We need one full day to process what went on last night because that was an interesting way to start.
First off, Pittsburgh went on a bit of a frenzy with 3 goals in one period and then just lost it all after that period. I am not sure how they could survive a whole period and part of another without a single shot on goal, but they did. They allowed Nashville to tie the game but not long after they finally had a shot on goal and it found the back of the net. How it played out for them like that, I do not know. You cannot write a game like this because it was one-of-a-kind. It was definitely exciting to see Jake Guentzel (a Rookie Report favorite!) get the game-winner and break his scoreless streak in the most Guentzel-like way you could think of. I also have to say that Nashville's defense still is top-notch and they are a threat everywhere on the ice, which definitely showed on not allowing any shots from Pittsburgh for around 30 minutes of play and then going on to help the offensive push to tie the game. Having the chance to win the most coveted prize in hockey is huge; now imagine having that happen during your first year in the league. Only a few months ago, these players were at the top of the boards in the AHL and now they are playing alongside-- or against-- elite players they once idolized. Here are the rookies to watch in the Stanley Cup Final: Jake GuentzelGP: 19 G: 9 A: 7 P: 16 *Guentzel leads the league in goals and rookies in all scoring categories. Pontus AbergGP: 10 G: 1 A: 3 P: 4 *Aberg's first goal of the postseason was the game-winning goal vs. Anaheim in Game 5, the turning point for Nashville. Frederick GaudreauGP: 2 G: 0 A: 0 P: 0 *Gaudreau's face off percentage in the playoffs is 56.5%. Note: Stats are from before Game 1 of the Final.
The wait is over!! Our first day of the most intense part of the season has finally begun and we finally feel at ease once the puck is dropped in Pittsburgh. At the end we will learn if Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin win three Cups or if Nashville brings home their first ever. This one will for sure be a good one since it's still the Centennial of the NHL.
Relax because our journey ends tomorrow while also beginning at the same time! The road may end to get to the Cup Final, but we still are at least four games away from seeing it hoisted in the air once again. It could be the same people as last year or new faces. Who knows. Either way, hockey fans have a lot to celebrate because this year's playoffs were anything but ordinary and boring. This series will be exciting and we have a lot to look forward to. See you soon!
P.S. My pick for the Cup is Pittsburgh in at least 6 games but maybe 7. What makes the wait bearable? MEMES! Here are some that I created just for this series! Nashville PredatorsPeople: Nashville will lose in Round One against Chicago. Nashville: Naashviille wILl lOsE iiN roUnnd oOne agaAinst chiicaAgoo. You can't have high expectations for the Stanley Cup if you've never been there. Pittsburgh PenguinsYou: Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup Champion. Me, an intellectual: Phil Kessel, the second best of the Kessel siblings, is a winner of Lord Stanley's Cup, the highest honor in ice hockey. When you can't decide if you want a repeat champion or a new champion.
Yesterday's Final: Congrats to the Penguins on their DOUBLE Overtime win! They will get to defend their Cup against the Predators on Monday, so the wait for the Cup Final is now at two days.
Last Game of the Conference Final: This is almost the end of the road as we figure out who fits the missing piece to the Stanley Cup Final. Will we have a repeat team or a team who has not been here in years? Will we see two teams that have never won the Cup face off or will we see the chance for a team to repeat? Both are rare and will be great either way.
Other things to think about: Canada still has one team left and this is their chance to bring it home. Pittsburgh can begin a dynasty if they win this year and then the next year. Those are rare in hockey and are what legends are made of (not even the Blackhawks could go back-to-back in their recent wins). Ottawa lives to see another day and Nashville has to wait longer for their opponent for the Cup. Take a break from the playoffs and get yourself ready for one of the craziest games left in the playoffs tomorrow in Pittsburgh!
Today's Action: We may actually find out the burning question of who will be in the Stanley Cup tonight and end this 42 day-long wait. Tonight could be another step in the path to repeating and defending the Stanley Cup for Pittsburgh. All of these visions could easily be silenced by Ottawa if they return to their form from the beginning of the series. They are just one great game by Craig Anderson and Erik Karlsson away from going to Game 7. If Pekka Rinne can finally go to the Cup, why not Anderson? Yesterday's Score: For the first time ever, Nashville will go to the Stanley Cup. Yep, that's right, your daily dose of P.K. will continue to get better.
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ThoughtOne century of this game and League is a wonderful milestone to celebrate. Let's hope to do this in the next century! Archives
October 2017
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