The Predators have been better in just about every measurable metric in the first two games of this series, yet due to their goaltender, they are down 2-0 and facing ominous history. Guentzel now has 12 goals and seven assists in his first 21 National Hockey League playoff games after notching 16 goals and 17 assists in 40 regular-season National Hockey League games as he split the season between the Penguins and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL). Finally, it seemed the youngster had slowed down.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Nashville Predators insist goaltender Pekka Rinne isn't to blame for the 2-0 series deficit against the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final.
The 22-year-old Guentzel finished with two goals to give him an NHL-high 12 during the playoffs, the second-most by a rookie in postseason history.
The Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators have already had plenty of big hits and bad penalties throughout the first two games, and that won't be changing anytime soon based on some of the hits in the first period of Game 2. Malkin has nine goals and leads the playoffs in points with 26. Dino Ciccarelli tops the list, having scored 14 goals for Minnesota in 1981. I think that put us on our heels for a few minutes.
He speaks a little bit of Russian, but I play with some Russians too. "He's getting his legs back. There's a lot of confidence I think that comes from that".
Breaking the slump took some line moves and a reduction in minutes. In that game, the Predators seized momentum until the reigning champs snatched it away late.
"Looking back since I came here a couple years ago, he's been the best player in nearly all of the games played", Filip Forsberg said. "And like I said, we'll be ready to play next game". When the plays are there, his instincts will take over.
Throughout the slump, Sullivan encouraged Guentzel to stick to the process and eventually it would yield results again.
So that was what they chatted about in the locker room. "You just have to bury these two games and find a way to have some success". He understands that. He's played with Sid.
The Penguins will now head to Nashville in hopes of taking a commanding 3-0 series lead, while the Predators will look to extend this series past the minimum four games. We're down 2-nothing. We're coming back in our barn, and we don't lose here.
Guentzel, who snapped an eight-game goalless drought when he pumped the victor by Rinne with 3:17 left in the series opener, tied it later in the period. He stopped a rushing Filip Forsberg with the glove and then got that same yellow, black and white glove on a powerful Roman Josi shot from the point.
The Predators say Jackson will take the stage on Lower Broadway about 2 1/2 hours before scheduled puck drop of Game 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Kunitz had great chemistry on the Ducks with center Andy McDonald and right wing Teemu Selanne, who was a big fan of Kunitz and often called him "unbelievable". But the Penguins generated at least 35 shots in each of the last four games of their seven-game win over the Senators in the Eastern Conference final, including a combined 88 shots in the last two games.The Stanley Cup newbies were disappointed but not dismayed by their Game 1 loss, pointing to the way they carried play for long stretches as tangible proof they weren't just happy to be here.That wasn't the end of the Penguins' quick start in the period. He made 37 saves and earned a.974 save percentage.
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