On Saturday, the Nashville Predators, riding their absolutely electric crowd, destroyed the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-1 in Game Three. Monday night, the Predators improbably tied the series at two games a piece after scoring two unanswered goals in the second period.
Nashville got on the board first after Calle Jarnkrok knocked a rebound home past Matt Murray. The goal was reviewed for several minutes after Mike Sullivan challenged the ruling on the ice for goaltender interference. The goal would be deemed legal however.
One minute and six seconds later, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby answered, scoring with his backhand on a breakaway. Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis made a bad read, allowing the 2017 Rocket Richard trophy winner a wide open lane to the net.
But the Predators would put the game away early in the second period. Frederick Gaudreau scored on a sneaky, sneaky wraparound though it took off-ice officials blowing a horn and stopping play to demand a goal review.
Viktor Arvidsson would put a bow on it, scoring on a breakaway. Taking a great feed from teammate Mike Fisher, Arvidsson sniped a shot past Murray.
Arvidsson’s celly was epic.
— RMNB (@russianmachine) June 6, 2017
The third period would remain scoreless until former Capitals draft pick Filip Forsberg tallied an empty-net goal. Forsberg now has one more Stanley Cup Final goal than Alex Ovechkin. 😭
This series is now a best of three.
Special notes: Before the game, a Preds fan threw a Penguins-eating, bedazzled-hat-wearing catfish onto the ice.
Of course #mouthwashgate continued.
The Predators are now 1-0 when Ryan Johansen is the honorary mayor of Nashville.
Carrie Underwood joined the NBC telecast during the first intermission.
The jean jacket Carrie Underwood is wearing is inspired by the Caps WAGs https://t.co/h0YJ6FmTlZ pic.twitter.com/CHjasXpZt7
— RMNB (@russianmachine) June 6, 2017
Charles Barkley was NBC’s guest during the second period and had some strong opinions about groins and Jeremy Roenick.
Barkley: "These goalies, their flexibility always amazes me. Sometimes I see 'em make a save and I pull a groin sitting in the stands."
— RMNB (@russianmachine) June 6, 2017
Barkley: "I would have loved to see an alligator eat Jeremy Roenick."
— RMNB (@russianmachine) June 6, 2017
Did you know even astronauts in space hate the Penguins?
@PredsNHL on top of the world — keep it up!! #Smashville pic.twitter.com/yyKsR3iKeo
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) June 6, 2017
RMNB’s sign of the game goes to this Preds fan who came up with a lot of taglines.
This sign is all that matters #mouthwashgate pic.twitter.com/QJisfsTHOT
— carrie (@carabahniuk) June 6, 2017
And finally, you know you agree with me.
Hockey is so much more fun when Pittsburgh is losing.
— RMNB (@russianmachine) June 6, 2017
