After coming from behind to win Game 2, it was the Pens’ turn to give up a first-period lead in Game 3. Jake Guentzel picked up unlucky goal No. 13 in these playoffs less than three minutes into the first period, but the Pens coughed up three in the second period as they eventually fell, 5-1. Pittsburgh has now gone 1-3 in its last four road games.
Evgeni Malkin was held without a shot on goal for the first time since January, while line-mates Chris Kunitz and Phil Kessel were limited as well. Sidney Crosby was also held shot-less, and goalie Matt Murray had easily his worst outing since returning in the postseason as he could only stop 28 of 33 shots.
The Pens power play has also continued its current struggles. After going 0-of-3 in Game 3, Pittsburgh is now 1-of-13 on the man advantage in the series.
But as poorly as the Pens played, it should be safe to expect some sort of response from the defending champs. It’s pretty tough to keep the likes of Malkin and Crosby quiet for consecutive games, so look for them to make their presence felt a lot more in Game 4.
The Preds made good on P.K. Subban’s guarantee as they took Game 3 walking away. Nashville was finally able to make all their possession count at home after squandering their chances in Games 1 and 2 in Pittsburgh. The Preds now improved to 8-1 at home in the postseason.
Defenseman Roman Josi was outstanding as he sparked the Preds attack from the back. He scored the equalizing power-play goal, and also picked up two assists in the pivotal three-goal second period. Meanwhile, he and fellow defensemen Subban and Mattias Ekholm did a terrific job shutting down the prolific Pens attack.
But perhaps more importantly, goalie Pekka Rinne played much better than he did in the first two games of the series. Rinne stopped 27 of 28 shots he faced in Game 3, and continued his fine form at home to get his first career win against Pittsburgh.
It was only a matter of time before the Preds got going with how their offense played in Pittsburgh. They have outplayed and outshot the Pens for much of this series, and finally got their just rewards. And if they can get this level of play once again from Rinne, they should be in good shape to tie the series up.
Writer’s Prediction
The Preds (-155) make home-ice advantage count once again as they even the series up with a hard-fought 3-2 win.
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