The past eight times when the Penguins and Predators have met the home team won. That's held up in this Stanley Cup Final, too. Nashville is 2-0 versus Pittsburgh at home. The Predators didn't just nip the Penguins either at Bridgestone Arena. They outscored them in those two games, 9-2.

Nashville has won 13 of its past 14 playoff games at Bridgestone Arena.

I say the Predators have earned the right to be a mid-sized home favorite here even after getting destroyed, 6-0, on the road in Game 5. That was the only time in this series where the defending champion Penguins truly outclassed the Predators. It has been Nashville, not Pittsburgh, that has dominated for longer stretches until this past Thursday's game.

I see the Predators coming back strong backed by a powerful home ice advantage.

Nashville has the better defense. The Predators have the offensive depth and offensive-minded defensemen to exploit Pittsburgh's vulnerable defense especially when playing at home.

The key for the Predators is goalie Pekka Rinne. He has been horrible in Pittsburgh giving up 11 goals on 45 shots during this series. However, Rinne has been brilliant at home yielding only two goals on 52 shots.