The Penguins put a dent in the Conn Smythe credentials of Predators goalie Pekka Rinne with three quick goals on the way to victory.
Penguins sting Predators’ star goalie in Game 1 with three goals on five shots
PITTSBURGH— However he might have imagined his Stanley Cup final debut, allowing three goals with less than five minutes to go in the first period of Game 1 was not the start Predators goalie Pekka Rinne wanted.
But that hiccup — Pittsburgh scored three times on five shots in a span of 4:11 — helped the Penguins to a 5-3 win Monday night over the Nashville Predators in a weird series opener.
Evgeni Malkin, Conor Sheary and Nick Bonino scored for the Pens in the first period, but the Penguins did not have another shot on net until playoff-scoring leader Jake Guentzel scored at 16:43 of the third.
Bonino added another into an empty net with 1:02 remaining, prompting a soldout PPG Arena to chant “We Want The Cup.”
Pittsburgh’s late-game revival erased goals by Nashville’s Ryan Ellis, Colton Sissons and Frederick Gaudreau.
The result bodes well for Pittsburgh’s attempt at a second Stanley Cup championship in a row.
Teams winning Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final have gone on to win the championship in 60 of 77 seasons (78 per cent) since the league introduced the best-of-seven format in 1939, including the Penguins last season.
The Predators got the start they wanted, pressing from the opening faceoff and even scoring what appeared to be the game’s first goal. However, it was called back on an offside review and Nashville seemed to lose its footing. Going down two men at the same time — James Neal (cross checking) and Calle Jarnkrok (interference) went off at 13:50 — allowed Pittsburgh to find its legs.
Malkin’s power play goal got things started at 15:32, Sheary scored at even strength at 16:37 while Bonino was the beneficiary of an own-goal off the knee of Mattias Ekholm with 17 seconds left in a first period in which Nashville deserved a better fate.
And it wasn’t like Rinne was busy, facing eight shots in the first period and none in the second.
Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray, on the other hand, faced nine in the first period, 10 in the second.
The last team to win the Stanley Cup after dropping the opening game of the series was the 2011 Boston Bruins, against the Vancouver Canucks.
It would be no surprise if the Stanley Cup came down to goaltending: The young Murray, with one Stanley Cup ring to his credit already, in the Pittsburgh net; going up against veteran Rinne.
The spotlight was heaviest in Game 1 on Rinne, the playoff’s top goalie coming into the final, but one without a history of playoff success and having to face Pittsburgh’s vaunted offence.
“Never been in the final before, never even been in the third round before,” said Rinne. “As a team, we’re playing the best hockey I’ve seen in my career here.”
The six-foot-five, 34-year-old had a .941save percentage through his first 16 playoff games this season with a 1.70 goals-against average. Predators coach Peter Laviolette was confident his netminder would handle the pressure.
“Although Pekka has not been in this situation before, he’s been in situations where he’s played for his country in big games, big moments, always delivered,” said Laviolette.
“I think there’s a good confidence inside of our room with our team, with our goaltending, with how we got here, the work that we put in, that we’re ready for this. But certainly I think there’s no question that pressure can factor into it.”
Murray, 23, had success early, and has continued to grow, according to Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan.
“The experience that he’s gone through certainly should serve him well moving forward, continued growth as a player,” said Sullivan. “Any time you have an opportunity to play in a high-stakes environment on a big stage like the Stanley Cup final, it can only serve a player well.
“I would think that would be the case with Matt.”
Murray came into the series with a 3-1 record, .946 save percentage and 1.94 GAA. Murray didn’t want to read to much into his Cup experience.
“At some point, it’s just hockey,” said Murray. “I’m sure it will help in some scenarios, help calm the nerves. But it’s just who’s going to want it more.”