Crosby has no time for Subban’s games in Stanley Cup Final

Like, what are you supposed to say? Judging by how Sullivan was talking about the rookie, you can expect Murray will get a chance to add to that ideal record. That you hope to win but aren’t confident enough to admit it?

Much like P.K. Subban said after the Predators’ Game 2 Cup Final loss that they played well for all but about three crucial minutes, the Capitals tried to fend off similar frustration when seemingly every odd-man rush against was turning into a Penguins goal.

It wasn’t necessarily a promise.

Rinne did just that, stopping 27 of 28 shots in the 5-1 win for the Predators. When it comes to the shot disparity, after Game 1-the one where Pittsburgh went through a 37-minute stretch without a shot on goal-Sidney Crosby said afterward part of what contributed to the Penguins low total was missed shots.

“I think these first couple of games, it’s been a battle”, said Rinne.

“It’s easy to get frustrated when you feel like you played (better)”, said Brooks Orpik, who won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2009. “I’m sure they’re going to make adjustments”.

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35), of Finland, stops a shot by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley (6) with help from Harry Zolnierczyk (26), Pontus Aberg (46), of Sweden, Filip Forsberg (9), of Sweden, Calle Jarnkrok (19), of Sweden, and Mattias Ekholm (14), of Sweden, during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Saturday, June 3, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.

Playing at home, where they are now 8-1 in the playoffs, everything clicked into place for the Predators. In the last two games, they are 0 for 10 and only have three shots on goal. The penalty kill was once again ideal.

Being able to carry that momentum on the ice into Game 4 will be big for the Predators, who managed to hold both Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby without a shot on goal, but will again have a hard time holding down the Penguins’ top talent.

“It’s our defense that’s going to win us games”, Subban said. “Pek’s was lights-out tonight”.

The team successfully pulled within 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. However, Pittsburgh still owns a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 now on the immediate horizon. If they can keep it up they’ll give Pittsburgh a run for it, but the Penguins won’t give up easily. “But at the end of the day, I have a job on the ice and that’s what my focus is on”. “He’s been able to play different positions on different lines for us, and he’s done it very well”. What this game does now is set up a huge game for both sides on Monday night.

Neal made it 3-1 with 22.6 seconds left in the second, banking the puck off Murray’s left arm for his first goal in the series and sixth of the playoffs. Jake Guentzel is something special. Eventually, the Predators answered back.

The Predators capped the biggest party in Nashville history with a victory that gave thousands of fans inside and outside of the arena reason to celebrate with even country star Keith Urban and wife, actress Nicole Kidman, high-fiving. Craig Smith converted a turnover at center ice into a breakaway goal at 4:54 of the third period for a 4-1 lead.

That was all the Predators needed. James Neal’s goal late in the second period caromed off Murray’s left ankle from a bad angle. However, 44 penalty minutes is excessive, especially when 42 of those came in the final period. When their two main scorers were shut down, Pittsburgh couldn’t figure out what to do.

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, center, talks to his players during practice Sunday, June 4, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.

We also go to Burger Up. Let’s take a look at a few takeaways from the game. “It’s always the next game until it’s over”.

My Prediction for Game 4: 4-2 Pittsburgh. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.