Stealing One
The Nashville Predators were able to hold serve and tie up the series with wins in Game Three and Game Four at Bridgestone Arena. It is now time for the Predators to do something no road team has been able to do in the series: WIN. The Pittsburgh Penguins were one of the best teams at home during the regular season with a record of 31-6-4. The Preds will have a tough task in Game Five to win at PPG Paints Arena in the Steel City. Pittsburgh has not lost at home since Game One of the Eastern Conference Final when the Penguins lost 2-1 in OT to the Ottawa Senators. Nashville has all the momentum as the series shifts back to Pennsylvania. If the Predators can steal Game Five, there could be fireworks in Game Six.
Stay Out of the Box
Much has been said regarding the lack of production on the powerplay for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In Game Four, the Pens were much better during the man-advantage getting better chances, yet they were 0/3 on the powerplay. The Predators cannot give Pittsburgh any opportunities. The Penguins are a dangerous team with extremely talented forwards, but they are in a lull right now. Every opportunity that Pittsburgh has with an advantage, the better chance they have to break out of their current struggles. Mistakes at this point could be the difference between coming home with a chance to win the Stanley Cup, and looking at elimination.
Freddy Hockey
#JohnnyWho? The talk of this year’s Stanley Cup Final has been the play of Frederick Gaudreau. The Bromont, Quebec, Canada native has 15 NHL games under his belt, yet he leads the Predators with three goals during the current series. Gaudreau was an AHL All-Star this season with 25 goals and 23 assists. The play that he is contributing to the Nashville Predators fits perfectly for playoff hockey. His grit and determination are the talk of the Nashville fans and teammates, yet he has the most modest of accommodations in the locker room.
Gaudreau doesn't care he doesn't have a stall. Undrafted rook started in ECHL, now leading #Preds in SCF goals: https://t.co/Zfy2TBX0dq #TSN pic.twitter.com/FXnIvwynM5
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 5, 2017
The Nashville Predators are two wins away from the opportunity of hoisting the Stanley Cup. Now, the series shifts to a best of three, with two of those games being in Pittsburgh. Be sure to catch all of the action on NBC or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game. Puck drops at 7:00 pm!
