PREMIUM
GAME OF THE WEEK (Rogers' 10* NHL!) >> RIDICULOUS 72-38-3 L28 Days!
(NHL) Pittsburgh vs. Nashville,
Money Line: -129.00 Nashville (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -129.00 Nashville (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The Penguins are thrilled to be up 2-0 in the Cup Finals but know that they'll have to play better overall in Nashville than they did in Pittsburgh to avoid returning home tied at 2-2. The Nashville Predators have to be hugely disappointed to be in an 0-2 hole but traditionally, some old-fashioned home cookin' could be just what the doctor ordered. The Predators are 7-1 in the 2017 playoffs at Bridgestone Arena and have won of 11 of their last 12 home playoff contests. Although Nashville head coach Peter Laviolette "politely" reiterated Friday that he and his coaching staff do not publicly discuss lineup changes, Pekka Rinne will likely be in net for Game 3, despite being shredded for eight goals on 36 shots in the first two contests.
Pittsburgh: A 2-0 series lead is a familiar one for Pittsburgh, which also claimed that advantage last year before skating past San Jose in six games to capture its fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. Rookie Jake Guentzel has been responsible for both game-winning goals of the series, scoring with 3:17 remaining in Game 1 and setting an NHL rookie record for a playoff year with his fifth such tally in Wednesday's 4-1 victory. Guentzel's 12 playoff goals are the most of any player. Evgeni Malkin scored a goal in his second straight contest on Wednesday and leads all playoff scorers with 26 points (9 G / 17 A). Then there is goalie Mark Murray, who in seven games (six starts), has gone 5-1 with a 1.54 GAA and .943 SP.
Nashville: The Predators have out-shot the Penguins 64-39, only to be outscored 9-4 in losing the first two contests of this best-of-seven series However, Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban is confident of a victory on Saturday. "There's no question. We're going to win the next game, and then we'll move forward," said the outspoken Subban. Yes, Rinne has not played well but a couple of the Pittsburgh goals came off a Nashville player and the Penguins also added a empty-netter in scoring nine goals. Rinne is a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist and has permitted just 13 goals in winning seven of eight playoff games at Bridgestone Arena (1.54 goals-against average and .947 save percentage).
The pick: "It's going to be a tremendous lift," coach Peter Laviolette said of playing at home. "I think the playoffs, everything ratchets up and becomes even better, a more explosive environment." Pittsburgh is 5-4 on the road during the playoffs and Rinne's a perfect 3-0 in Game 3s at home this postseason, allowing just four goals. Make it 4-0, as Nashville earns a 10* rating.
Pittsburgh: A 2-0 series lead is a familiar one for Pittsburgh, which also claimed that advantage last year before skating past San Jose in six games to capture its fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history. Rookie Jake Guentzel has been responsible for both game-winning goals of the series, scoring with 3:17 remaining in Game 1 and setting an NHL rookie record for a playoff year with his fifth such tally in Wednesday's 4-1 victory. Guentzel's 12 playoff goals are the most of any player. Evgeni Malkin scored a goal in his second straight contest on Wednesday and leads all playoff scorers with 26 points (9 G / 17 A). Then there is goalie Mark Murray, who in seven games (six starts), has gone 5-1 with a 1.54 GAA and .943 SP.
Nashville: The Predators have out-shot the Penguins 64-39, only to be outscored 9-4 in losing the first two contests of this best-of-seven series However, Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban is confident of a victory on Saturday. "There's no question. We're going to win the next game, and then we'll move forward," said the outspoken Subban. Yes, Rinne has not played well but a couple of the Pittsburgh goals came off a Nashville player and the Penguins also added a empty-netter in scoring nine goals. Rinne is a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist and has permitted just 13 goals in winning seven of eight playoff games at Bridgestone Arena (1.54 goals-against average and .947 save percentage).
The pick: "It's going to be a tremendous lift," coach Peter Laviolette said of playing at home. "I think the playoffs, everything ratchets up and becomes even better, a more explosive environment." Pittsburgh is 5-4 on the road during the playoffs and Rinne's a perfect 3-0 in Game 3s at home this postseason, allowing just four goals. Make it 4-0, as Nashville earns a 10* rating.