Thoughts: Talk about a home ice advantage! Nashville fought back last night in a big way and all those shots on goal paid off from the past two games. You would figure that they would be in for an offensive outburst after all the effort they put in before, even though up until tonight it was Pittsburgh that knew how to find the back of the net.
You could also say that P.K. Subban was right about this game and that was not arrogance at all. Subban's boldness paid off and it really represented what this team is about. This team and its fanbase are both bold and flashy and know that they deserve better in this series. They will not back down, especially not in Nashville. Pittsburgh can come back from this because they probably came into this series expecting a fight from Nashville on defense. The Penguins will return in the next game and either Murray or Fleury will be in net and ready to go again. The Stanley Cup Final starts back up again tonight in Nashville for the first time ever as the Predators try to make a comeback in the series and back P.K. Subban's promise of winning. The Predators have to make history by making a comeback unless they would rather have the Penguins make history. Tonight is a big game and the Penguins need to be ready to take on the energy in the arena. If they can, they can get that much closer to winning it all again. *At this time, we still do not know who is starting in goal for Nashville. Rinne said he knew but was secretive about it. Thanks a lot, Pekka.
No game today! Please rest up your lungs from screaming at the TV and also give your heart a rest by doing something that is relaxing. While you relax, here are some things to remember for tomorrow's game in Nashville: The Game Three starting goalie for Nashville is..... WE STILL DON'T KNOW YET! Laviolette is very protective of his lineups and will not discuss who will start after Juuse Saros took over the role from Pekka Rinne after he gave up four goals in Game Two. Bold PREDiction? How can the Penguins improve even more offensively? The power play! They were 0-for-7 in Game Two and had only 2 shots on goal while allowing 2 shots from Nashville. Just imagine what could happen if they improved this area since their offense has scored nine goals in two games so far. Fun Fact: Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan worked as an assistant coach to current Blue Jackets Coach John Tortorella from 2007-2014. Sullivan also worked with the Blackhawks as a player development coach in 2014-15 and then became head coach for the Penguins' AHL affiliate team, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the beginning of the last season. I guess you could say that Sullivan was there for most of Tortorella's crazy moments in Vancouver and elsewhere. Thanks to nhl.com for the inspiration and facts!
Thoughts: Jake Guentzel is a playoff legend once again with his two goals in this game (including his awesome first goal that I highly recommend watching!), making him the best ever American-born rookie in the playoffs with 19 points.
Pontus Aberg scored his second goal of the playoffs for Nashville's sole goal in the game. Let's just say tonight was a good night for rookies and I cannot be happier (Rookie Report will be rockin'!). Also, Juuse Saros made his playoff debut last night in the third period and he did not give up any good goals since the only one that went past him was waved off for offsides. Saros will likely not return since Rinne is Nashville's primary goaltender but if they ever need him, they know he is highly capable of the task. Nashville had plenty of opportunities to score in the third with three power plays but they could not. Pittsburgh also was given those opportunities but all of their goals were even strength. Nashville seriously needs to do some reevaluating because right now they cannot get the right bounces even though they are outshooting Pittsburgh in the series so far. Pittsburgh just needs to continue what they are doing because they improved so much offensively in this game and it proved to be even more powerful. Three goals in one period is not to be messed with and it will be interesting to see what goes on next. 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.
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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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