Penguins vs. Predators: Game 3 prediction

The Nashville Predators will host their first ever Stanley Cup Finals home game on Saturday. Will they get their first Stanley Cup win?

On Saturday, June 3, the Nashville Predators will host the first Stanley Cup Finals home game in franchise history. They’ll be playing against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins, who are the defending Stanley Cup champions. At Bridgestone Arena, the Predators will try to avoid going into a 3-0 hole by winning in Game 3.

Nashville’s biggest issue so far has been stopping Pittsburgh on their rush attacks. While the Predators have outshot them significantly so far in the series, the Pens are generating more dangerous chances. Most of these chances have come on the rush. Pekka Rinne, who was outstanding in the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, has gone cold and was pulled in Game 2. No word on who’s starting tonight for them.

On the other side of the ice, the Pens have outscored the Predators so far by a count of nine to four. They’ll be heading on the road for the first time in this Stanley Cup Finals series. Pittsburgh will be visiting what should be a very energetic Bridgestone Arena. It will be important for the Pens to not let Nashville get out to an early lead. If Pittsburgh can strike early, that could take the crowd out of the game and force the Predators to get them back into it.

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Prediction

Expect Nashville to pull out a win in Game 3. They’ll be back at home, where they’ve played extremely well this postseason. Pittsburgh has struggled at times on the road during the playoffs, which could mean they’re in for a rude awakening. Nashville will be playing desperate hockey tonight. Whether or not that’s a good thing remains to be seen.

Predators beat Penguins 3-1.