Stanley Cup Finals: Penguins take early 2-0 lead in Game 5 (Video)

Early in Game 5, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a 2-0 lead thanks to a power play goal by Justin Schultz and a goal by Bryan Rust

So far in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Pittsburgh Penguins blue line hasn’t been productive. Entering Game 5 on Thursday, the Pens hadn’t gotten a goal from their defensemen against the Nashville Predators. It didn’t take them long into Game 5 to finally get a goal from their blue line.

Pittsburgh took advantage of an early power play, with Justin Schultz cashing in from just inside the blue line.

Pittsburgh wasn’t done yet. The power play goal gave them a ton of momentum and got the home crowd involved early on. Just a few minutes later, the team gave their fans something else to cheer about with a goal from Bryan Rust. Early in Game 5, Pittsburgh has a 2-0 lead.

Nashville has been very good in the past two games. However, Pittsburgh seems to be dominating at home. So far in the Stanley Cup Finals, the home team has won each of the games. This doesn’t bode well for the Predators, who only have one home game left (Game 6). Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has tonight and, if it’s needed, Game 7.

Chris Kunitz continues to be productive, picking up an assist on Rust’s goal. Pekka Rinne was outstanding in Games 3 and 4, but early, he’s allowed two goals. He should have had Schultz’s goal. It’s up to the guys in front of him to get those goals back. Because the Predators don’t want to head into Game 6 in a must-win situation.

Next: Each NHL Team's Biggest 'What If' Moment

Pittsburgh’s looking very impressive early on. The defending Stanley Cup champions are determined to repeat as champions. Should they do so, they’ll be the first team to do it in over a decade. The last team to repeat as Stanley Cup champions were the Detroit Red Wings in 1996-97 and 1997-98.