Stanley Cup Final: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Nashville Predators

[Shift Disturber]

Back to the Stanley Cup final...

Pittsburgh is 2 wins away from hoisting the mug again. Does Nashville have any chance at this point, or are they, for all intents and purposes, done???

They're done if Rinne continues to be Nashville's worst player. He's the key to any comeback.

[StuntMan12]

Ain't over until the fat lady sings. Nashville outplayed Pittsbugh for much of the games and had some unlucky bounces go against them and Pittsbugh has been very oportunistic and have buried their chances. Wouldn't be surprised if Nashville gets back in this series. Murray has been playing unreal, if Rinne can find his game back then BOOM they are back in the series. We'll see

[Rylant]

Ain't over until the fat lady sings. Nashville outplayed Pittsbugh for much of the games and had some unlucky bounces go against them and Pittsbugh has been very oportunistic and have buried their chances. Wouldn't be surprised if Nashville gets back in this series

I do agree with this. Game 3 is HUGE. The difference between being down 2-1 and being down 3-0 is monstrous. An absolute must win for Nashville.

Rylant

[MZac]

You aren't in trouble until you lose a game at home. Obviously game 3 is a must win for Nashville. I'd argue game 4 is also a must win for them to have a shot. Tough spot but very doable for this team to win 2 straight.

[ericdaoust]

While we're at it I'll just state that no team is in trouble until they lose 4 games.

[JagrBomb]

They're done if Rinne continues to be Nashville's worst player. He's the key to any comeback.

how was Rinne their worst player last night?

the last two goals weren't his fault at all, another deflection off his teammate and a 2 on 1 with the likely conne smythe winner scoring on him.

nashville is losing because their top 2 C are Fisher and Sissons.

[lucafen4]

So if Pitts wins this series does this mean having high end, top flight Centre's is more important than having high end, top flight Dmen to win championships? 'Cuz Pitts has one, but not the other. And Nsh.. the complete opposite (sorry Fisher). they say Defence wins championships... maybe in hockey, they're wrong. Maybe Centres win championships??

[Shift Disturber]

how was Rinne their worst player last night?

the last two goals weren't his fault at all, another deflection off his teammate and a 2 on 1 with the likely conne smythe winner scoring on him.

nashville is losing because their top 2 C are Fisher and Sissons.

Their worst player over the first two games, not just last night. Nashville has had a decisive territorial edge over the Pens so their problem at centre is clearly not as much of a factor as we may have thought it would be. You can chalk it up to lucky bounces if you want, but he needs to start making saves or they're dead.

[lucafen4]

Guentzel's 2nd goal was a nasty rebound he put directly into a primary scoring area. That one's his fault. Rebound control. The own goal (2nd of the series) and Malkin's shot.. no chance... well maybe a bit tighter on the five hole and he keeps it 2-1. Still not giving him full blame on a puck he believed to be safely in front of him

[ericdaoust]

Charges against catfish man have been dropped.

[hockeyrobot]

While we're at it I'll just state that no team is in trouble until they lose 4 games.

Series so far reminds me a lottttttttttttttt of 2009 when Wings went up 2-0 at home. Although I'd argue Detroit carried that series more than Pittsburgh has this one.

But as ED says....it's far from over. Look at what Washington did against Pitt.

[JagrBomb]

Look at what Washington did against Pitt.

You're right, if Nashville gives Crosby a concussion they might have a chance.

[rataylor22]

A cross check to the head is a cross check to the head is a cross check to the head?

How was that not a 5 minute penalty. Bet if it was Crosby it would have been!

I mean it was kind've to the neck, but it should have been 5 and game.

Real answer? NHL refs are bad and always will be bad.

[rataylor22]

That was an awful 5-on-3 by Nashville. Fisher with the bad penalty, and they kept setting up Josi for the shot instead of Subban.

Hidden secret of Nashville's PP is it's actually terrible and data shows that setting up point shots, no matter who is taking them, is a bad way to run PPs.

[rataylor22]

You aren't in trouble until you lose a game at home. Obviously game 3 is a must win for Nashville. I'd argue game 4 is also a must win for them to have a shot. Tough spot but very doable for this team to win 2 straight.

Funny normally the only teams that say this are the ones that lose the first two on the road.