After a blowout 6-0 win against the Nashville Predators at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins were one win away from hoisting Lord Stanley’s cup for the second consecutive season. The Nashville Predators, who have been dominant at Bridgestone Arena all playoffs long, wanted to stop that from happening and force a game seven on Wednesday night. So, who came out on top?
Sunday’s game six was an all-out goaltending duel for the ages. Both Matt Murray for the Penguins and Pekka Rinne for the Predators showcased some outstanding ability between the pipes in a very memorable evening in Music City. The Nashville Predators appeared to have struck first, but a whistle was blown and the goal was eventually waved off.
The game remained scoreless until just 1:36 was left in regulation when Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist bested Rinne and put on past him to make it 1-0 Pittsburgh. Just forty seconds later, his teammate and best friend, Carl Hagelin, potted the empty-net goal to seal the deal. Murray pitched a shutout, the Swedes had the two goals, and the Pittsburgh Penguins repeated as Stanley Cup champions.
Prior to the presentation of the Cup, handshakes took place at center ice and Penguins center, and captain, Sidney Crosby was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy, given to the MVP of the playoffs. This victory is his third Stanley Cup in eight years. Many of the players’ family and friends joined them on ice for a loud and wild celebration.
“We played our hearts out this entire playoffs,” Carl Hagelin told NHL Network following the game.
The Penguins have returned home to Pittsburgh for a victory parade before each player having their day with Lord Stanley. Congratulations to the boys from the Steel City, and with that, the 2016-17 NHL season is over. Until October, hockey fans.
