PITTSBURGH, PA – In entering territory never before reached in their 18-year history, the Nashville Predators took to the ice at PPG Arena as though it was just another game. Familiar with raging crowds at the Bridgestone Arena, the visitors channeled the noise and energy by coming out strong against the mighty Penguins.
Facing a defending champion with four Cups to their name in their 50-year history, the Predators sought to get the edge from the opening draw, but took a cautious approach at the outset. Feeling out the home team, they clogged the neutral zone, stymying Pittsburgh to only one shot through the first half of the game. The Predators sent an occasional shot on goal to test Penguins goalie Matt Murray.
About four minutes in, Nashville began to press toward Murray with plays closer to the net, all of the threats Murray turned aside or froze for a face-off. And then finally it seemed Nashville finally had something to show for their hard work, until the video replay proved otherwise.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
On an advancing play which eventually led to P.K. Subban scoring off a Pittsburgh giveaway by Ron Hainsey in his own zone, the result was challenged on a missed offside call on the far side of the ice.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
After closer review, the goal was disallowed when it was determined the play entering the zone was offside, Filip Forsberg’s skate in the neutral zone was off the ice when he accepted the puck in the offensive zone, this being an off-side play. The Penguins and their fans can thank Andy Saucier, team video coordinator, for that break.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
It was the break the Penguins, who were being severely outplayed by the Predators needed.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
Just minutes later, as Pittsburgh began to muster up speed in the offensive one, Nashville was called for two minor penalties on the same play. First a penalty to Calle Jarnkrok for interference and then James Neal for a cross-check at 6:10, gave the Penguins another opportunity.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
With shot after shot on Rinne and the Nashville net, Evgeni Malkin finally lit the lamp with a slapper off the goaltender’s glove from high in the slot with 18 seconds left in the man advantage. Trevor Daley and Sidney Crosby had the assists.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
It was the only time up to this point that the Penguins showed any sort of strength.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
A little more than a minute later, Nashville allowed Conor Sheary to convert a nifty passing play from Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby to give the home team the 2-0 lead.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
Momentum had swung in Pittsburgh’s favor as Nashville let them up off the mat.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
Pittsburgh wasn’t done as Nashville’s often impenetrable defense let a sloppy goal in toward the end of the period. With Pittsburgh sensing a vulnerable Nashville squad, Nick Bonino collected a Brian Dumoulin pass and streaked down the right side. As he cut toward the net, he sent a shot toward Rinne who made a save with his stick and propelled the puck into a retreating Cody McLeod. The puck bounced of McLeod’s right thigh, past Rinne and into the open net to give the Penguins a 3-0 lead with 17 seconds to play.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
The first period ended with Nashville leading 11 to 8 in shots, but trailing 3-0.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
After a series of Penguin penalties, Nashville finally solved Murray on the second one with Ian Close off for roughing. Ryan Ellis accepted a pass from PK Subban after a fine feed by Mike Fisher and slid it into the Pittsburgh goal. Nashville was on the board and was climbing back into the game.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
Halfway through the period, Pittsburgh had 3 goals on 8 shots while the Penguins allowed just 1 goal on 12 shots.
The second period was relatively uneventful for both teams, but particularly the Penguins who did not register a shot the entire frame.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
Shots after two periods favored Nashville 20-8.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
As the third period began, both teams sought an edge, but could gain very little until midway through the frame. That’s when Nashville pressed the Pittsburgh defense. After Evgeni Malkin was sent off for slashing P.K. Subban across the hands, the Predators went back to work on their power play.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
Roman Josi collected a pass from Calle Jarnkrok at the right point. The center man sent a drive toward the net which eventually went off Colton Scissons knee and past Murray to close the score to 3-2.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
They weren’t done. A little more than three minutes later, Nashville tied things up when Mike Fisher started the play from his own zone. Sending the puck into the Penguins zone, Austin Watson battled defenseman Olli Matta for the puck, winning possession and centering it from behind the net for a streaking Frederick Gaudreau for the goal. The Penguins were stunned; standing flatfooted while the Predators knotted things up.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
With momentum going back to Nashville, Pittsburgh struggled to withstand the pressure, but finally broke through with just more than three minutes to play in regulation.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
After neutral zone play, Jake Guentzel took the puck over the Nashville line and streaking in, sent a precision wrist shot through the legs of defenseman Ryan Ellis and over the shoulder of Rinne. The shot under the bar seemed to stun Rinne, but the possible screen may have affected his ability to see the snipe.
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Pittsburgh had regained the lead with the first shot in 37 minutes. Nick Bonnino added an empty net goal and the Penguins came away with a 5-3 decision in the Game 1 victory.
Nashville ended up outshooting Pittsburgh 26-12 in the loss.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
The Penguins have history in their favor by winning the opening contest in the Stanley Cup Final.
Since the Final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, the team that has won Game 1 has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup 77.9% of the time (60 of 77 series), including each of the past five years.
Photo By : Brianna O’Mara
And the excitement of close games decided late continues. The winning goal has been scored in the final five minutes of regulation or later in each of the past seven Game 1s of the Stanley Cup Final.
Game Two is Wednesday night at PPG Arena before Games Three & Four shift to Nashville.
Follow me at DMMORRELL and you can contact me at dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
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