Cup of contrasts as Pens, Preds clash
PITTSBURGH, May 27, (RTRS): A stellar attack collides with a spectacular defense as the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins take on the upstart Nashville Predators in a Stanley Cup Finals full of contrasts starting on Monday.
Something has got to give when the best-of-seven for the National Hockey League crown gets underway in the Steel City of Pittsburgh and home favorites Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin NHL title shot.
Rinne shut down the firepower of the Chicago Blackhawks, St Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks on the way to the Finals.
“It’s a dream come true,” Rinne said. “But it’s a funny thing, though. With everything that’s happening around us, you still feel hungry, and now we have a chance to play for the Cup. It’s a pretty amazing feeling.”
Pittsburgh had the second-best record in the regular season, while the Predators were the No. 16 team.
The Penguins have four of the top six scorers this postseason in forwards Malkin (playoff-leading 24 points), Crosby (20), Phil Kessel (19) and Jake Guentzel (16).
Nashville is paced by forward Filip Forsberg, who has 15 points (eight goals, seven assists).
But the hungry Predators have not needed to pepper the net with goals given the stinginess of Rinne and his lively front men including Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, Roman Jose and P.K. Subban, who have helped ward off enemy attackers.