The Nashville Predators entered Saturday’s must win game on a guarantee from P.K. Subban. Thanks to a three-goal second period in a 5-1 victory, the Predators are back in the Stanley Cup Final after a key win at home. The Penguins now lead the series 2-1 after Game 3.
Stanley Cup Game 3 final score: Three-goal second period explosion lifts Predators over Penguins 5-1
Nashville opened their home stand in the Stanley Cup Final with a bang.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Frederick Gaudreau had the game-winner after the Predators scored twice in 42 seconds in the second period.
Pekka Rinne rebounded well from a disastrous first two games, as he saved 26 of 27 shots.
Jake Guentzel, the hero of Games 1 and 2, had the opening goal for the Penguins 2:46 into the opening frame. Rinne allowed a rebound in close and Guenzel buried the puck through the open five-hole for the 1-0 lead.
The Predators had two penalties in the first period, but the Penguins were unable to do anything with the chances. The shots after one period were 12-6 in favor of the Predators.
Things finally broke for the Predators in the second period in a wave. On Nashville’s first power play of the game, Roman Josi got through Matt Murray on a shot from the top of the right circle.
Gaudreau’s goal 42 seconds later opened the floodgates then for Nashville. James Neal gave the Predators a 3-1 lead with 22.6 seconds to go in the second period. A bank play at the left side of the cage bounced in off of Murray to finish a three-goal burst in the middle frame.
Craig Smith put the game away in the early stages of the third period. The Penguins were playing with fire all game, allowing a slew of Predators breakaways, and Smith made them pay for the 4-1 tally.
Mattias Ekholm added a late power play goal to make it 5-1 Predators at 13:10 of the third period.
Murray ended the game with 28 saves on 33 shots.
Game 4 will be Monday night in Nashville at 8 p.m. on NBC.
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