Penguins vs. Predators: Game Five Recap

Headline News, NEWS, NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins, TOP STORIES June 9, 2017August 12, 2023 Thomas Reilly

As the game begins, the series is all even at 2-2 as it heads back to PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The Predators, after finding themselves down 2-0 to the Penguins, defended home ice and now look to win their first road game of the series. The Penguins hope to get back in the win column and get one win closer to their second straight Stanley Cup. Here is how game five of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final played out.

Just seconds into the game Sidney Crosby muscled through the Predators’ defense and drew a penalty while also ripping a shot off the post. Ryan Ellis would get called for holding. The Penguins head to their first power play just 50 seconds into the game. And they would capitalize on the chance.

Defenseman Justin Schultz would rifle a slap shot from the top of the point right between the legs of Pekka Rinne. The Penguins get off to a much needed great start in game five and the crowd was roaring. The goal came at 1:31 of the first period.

The Penguins would continue their dominant start to the game as Bryan Rust would find himself open in the slot and roofed a backhand shot over the glove of Rinne. Penguins have an early 2-0 lead and have complete control of the game up to this point. The goal came at 6:43 of the first period.

After the Predators start to create some chances of their own, the Penguins make a mistake as the team gets called for too many men on the ice. This is Nashville’s first opportunity on the power play and a great chance to get right back into the game. Unfortunately for them, they are unable to get one past Murray.

After P.K. Subban and Sidney Crosby get tied up behind the Penguins net, they both go off for matching holding penalties. Both team skate 4-on-4 and the Penguins would be the beneficiaries of it as Phil Kessel would leave a drop pass for Evgeni Malkin, who would roof the puck over the glove side of Rinne. The Penguins extend their lead to 3-0 on the goal by Malkin his 10th of the playoffs. The goal came with just 10 seconds left in the period. Three of the Penguins nine total shots in the first were goals.

The second period begins and Pekka Rinne stays on the bench. He only stopped six of nine shots in the first period. Backup goalie Jusse Sarros takes over in net as Rinne did not have a great performance in the first period.

The goalie change would not matter to Pittsburgh as right away they add to their lead. Conor Sheary buries home a beautiful backhand pass from Sidney Crosby to extend the lead to 4-0. The goal was Sheary’s second of the playoffs and at came at 1:19 of the second period. Nashville has yet to find an answer to Pittsburgh’s offensive attack.

The route would be on in game five as Phil Kessel would walk into the slot and snipe one under the glove of Sarros to extend the Penguins lead to five goals. The goal was Kessel’s eight goal of the playoffs and it came at 8:02 on the second period. It is Pittsburgh’s night.

After failing to score on a power play, the Penguins march down the ice and Ron Hainsey buries a tremendous passing sequence to extend the lead to six goals. Sarros had virtually no chance as Hainsey was left all alone right in front of the net. The goal was Hainsey’s second of the playoffs and it came at 16:40 of the second period. A loud “We want the cup!” chant rings through PPG Paints Arena.

The remaining three minutes of the period would wind down as, like the first period, it was all Penguins. After two it is 6-0 Pittsburgh who are well on their way to taking back the lead in the series.

The third period would see both no goals scored and not many great scoring chances either. The game was already decided before the period started, and the play reflected that. A frustrated Predators team took some penalties and will now be facing elimination as they head back to Nashville one last time this season.

Matt Murray was great when he was called upon, although he did not have to make too many high quality saves in this game. He stopped all 24 shots he faced on the night.

Pekka Rinne once again struggled in Pittsburgh. If the Predators want to win this series, they have to take game seven on the road. In other words, Rinne has to conquer his Pittsburgh demons if this series goes all seven games. His performance tonight is not going to get it done.

The Penguins are now one win away from their second straight Stanley Cup. They could be the first team since the late 1990s to repeat as cup champions if they are able to close out this series. Game six will be on Sunday night in Nashville and the Stanley Cup will be in the building, just not for the home team.

Featured Image via Charles Leclaire/USA Today Sports

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Sports have been a part of my life for years. First playing and watching, now just watching. I stopped playing after I discovered that you actually have to have real talent in order to play sports at a high level. Anyways, my favorites are Hockey, Baseball, Football, MMA, and Boxing. Thank you for reading my articles and feel free to leave a comment if you have one.

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