Stanley Cup Final: Three things to watch in Game 6 between Penguins and Predators
Matt Murray looks for a rebound in Nashville, and Pekka Rinne seeks another rebound
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2 min read
The Stanley Cup Final has been full of twists.
First, there were two straight wins from the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are looking to become the league's first repeat champions since 1998.
Then, with the title series in Nashville, the underdog Predators claimed two straight wins of their own, threatening to outdo a far more talented Pens team, thanks in large part to Pekka Rinne in goal.
Now, with Pittsburgh back on top after a 6-0 blowout in Game 5, the series returns to Music City on Sunday night.
Here are three things to watch in Game 6, a do-or-die night for the Predators:
1. Murray seeks 2nd straight, but 1st at Bridgestone
Lost in the madness of the Penguins' six-goal outburst in Game 5 was a shutout by steady-handed Murray, whose typically poised presence in the net was on display after a two-game slip-up in Nashville.
The young goalie will be going for his second straight win in this series and his second straight Stanley Cup title in Game 6. If he wants to pull out the championship-clinching victory, he'll probably need a little more help than he got from his fellow blue-liners in Game 3 and 4 losses, when the Preds got the best of Murray thanks to persistent pressure and some high shots.
And if the Pens' recent history at Bridgestone Arena is any indication, Pittsburgh could be banking on more of a low-scoring affair to seal the deal. If that's the case, Murray's performance will be even more vital to hoisting the Cup on Sunday.
2. Nashville's response to Pens' explosion
Neither team has long without avenging big losses this postseason, Nashville rebounding from an 0-2 series hole to rattle off two convincing victories and Pittsburgh dropping the hammer at PPG Paints Arena in Game 5.
But it's fair to wonder just how Peter Laviolette's group will respond to its 6-0 beating from three days ago. The Preds have had a knack for some over-the-line physicality in this series, but they need to be smart as well as scrappy in their return home. Especially if they want to ensure that Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel don't go off for another of their near-unstoppable scoring streaks.
The Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators came back to win a game after falling by at least six goals this postseason, so the Preds have that number on their side. But their depth-oriented unit, which could be without Ryan Ellis, will need as close to a complete game as it can get if it wants to aid another Rinne rebound and keep Pittsburgh's superior talent in check.
3. Rinne gets another shot at redemption
Rinne has been as electric as the Nashville crowd when the Preds are at home, limiting the Penguins to two goals in Games 3 and 4. But is it too much of Laviolette and Preds fans to ask for the one-time Conn Smythe candidate to come out and completely blank Pittsburgh's superstar forwards?
Rinne's best nights against the Pens were obviously helped by quick sticks from Nashville's defensemen, so the Preds' efforts to thwart Pittsburgh's passing will be just as important to watch. The pressure is certainly on the veteran goalie to overcome a second benching of the series and keep the Pens from claiming the Stanley Cup in Smashville.
And if he does, in fact, pull out another win, then comes the true test: Finally putting forth a competent performance in Pittsburgh.
