Stanley Cup Finals: Penguins take commanding 3-0 lead after first period

The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken a 3-0 lead in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals thanks to goals from Evgeni Malkin, Conor Sheary and Nick Bonino.

Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins is underway. With both teams fighting for momentum early, the first goal is likely going to be a turning point in the first game. Just minutes after the Penguins won a challenge, negating an early Predators goal by P.K. Subban, the receiver of said momentum will be Pittsburgh, courtesy of a power play goal from Evgeni Malkin.

The Penguins made Nashville pay for committing two penalties in the same sequence. Calle Jarnkrok and James Neal each got sent off. With under 25 seconds left on the five-on-three power play, Malkin made the two minors very costly. Pittsburgh desperately needed the goal, as Nashville got out to a very strong start. In fact, they had all the momentum until Subban’s goal got overturned due to offsides.

Just before the goal, Pittsburgh might have gotten away with a penalty. Mattias Ekholm of the Predators got ran into rather hard and it could have been called interference. However, Nashville gets no sympathy because Neal was stupid enough to commit a penalty to force his team to be down two men.

Malkin’s goal has given Pittsburgh new life, as they have dominated since the score. Conor Sheary followed up with an impressive goal of his own, giving the Penguins an early 2-0 lead. Nick Bonino followed up with a goal to make it 3-0.

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The Predators have to regroup after the Penguins have jumped out to a huge early lead. Nashville isn’t in good shape, but then again, they’ve overcome a lot worse this season. Pittsburgh, though, has to be very pleased with their early 3-0 lead.