If you’ve been following my hockey coverage for the Stanley Cup Final you may remember that I posited Nashville’s biggest advantage was netminder Pekka Rinne, who was white hot going into the series. Keyword: was. Pittsburgh beat the Predators again last night, this time by a 4-1 margin which doesn’t accurately reflect how tense this game was for forty minutes. The score was tied 1-1 to start the third period after goals by Pontus Aberg and Jake Guentzel scored in the first period. And then for the first 3:28 of the third period insanity struck again as Pekka Rinne turned into Swiss Cheese again letting by goals by Jake Guentzel (his second), Scott Wilson, and Evgeni Malkin. This burst of offense led to the second consecutive game in which Nashville had more hits (41 to 35) and shots on goal (38 to 27) while managing to lose. In addition to those stats they also won the faceoff battle 44 to 33 which makes the result all the stranger.
That result, a 4-1 Penguins win behind that offensive burst and combined with a much sharper Matt Murray means that Pittsburgh is halfway there (Whoa! Livin on a Prayer!). Coincidentally, the three goals also match the number of times NBC personality mentioned the phrase “Catfish Crotch Conceal” after the first intermission while also complaining about poor refereeing. While we all may feel collectively grossed out by Milbury’s terminology it was evident that after swallowing the whistle in Game 1 were intent on calling much more closely after the first period kind of got away from them (19 Penalty minutes for Nashville overall and 15 for Pittsbugh), although neither team managed to slot home any Power Play Goals, despite Nashville getting a 5 on 3 chance.
At this point the conversation can safely turn to Conn Smythe Candidates for Playoff Most Valuable Player which baring a miracle performance in 4 of the next 5 potential games Rinne has played himself out of for Nashville (although members of losing teams have won before). If I had a vote would be my pick for Conn Smythe Trophy winner would be repeated thorn in Nashville’s side already after just two games and rookie Jake Guentzel who has now scored both game-winners this series. If he were to win this would make him the first rookie skater and only the fifth rookie ever to win the award behind Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy Hextall, and Cam Ward (all goaltenders). However, as has often been said “It ain’t over til it’s over” it just looks that way for the team in mustard. Game 3 is in Nashville on June 3rd.
