Predators Make Statement in Game 3

After dropping the first two games of the Stanley Cup finals in Pittsburgh, Nashville was written off by many. But the Predators never stopped believing in themselves and took it to Pittsburgh on Saturday in a 5-1 thumping. After spotting Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead after the first period it was all Nashville. The Predators scored the final five goals in a game that ugly toward the end. There were 78 minutes in penalties handed out with Pittsburgh frustration boiling over.

But not all of the action took place inside the arena. An estimated 50,000 fans were at a viewing party outside the arena. And the players were thrilled.

“You can feel it,” said Frederick Gaudreau. “The energy is crazy.” Gaudreau gave them something to cheer about with a second-period goal that gave Nashville the lead and ended up as the game-winner.

“We were aware of how crazy it was outside. You can feel the buzz,” said forward James Neal. “The atmosphere in the warm-ups and the buildup was unbelievable, right through the whole game.”

But the Penguins are no strangers to being handed big loss in the playoffs. And it’s their ability to bounce back after a crushing defeat that has them going after their third Stanley Cup in the Sidney Crosby era.

But Nashville doesn’t plan on going away quietly either. They showed that much in Game 3, which sets the stage for the crucial Game 4. A Pittsburgh win would give the Penguins a chance to close it out in Game 5 at Pittsburgh. But a Nashville win means another trip back to Bridgestone Arena where anything can happen.

The Predators are -155 with a total of 5.5-under. Despite everything they have accomplished, the Penguins are 20-21 as an away underdog in the playoffs since 2012. But that’s still profitable and they will put up a good fight. But it remains to be seen if it will be enough.