Stanley Cup Final 2017: Penguins vs. Predators Game 4 Result, Updated Schedule
June 6, 2017
There was no pregame guarantee this time, but P.K. Subban and the Nashville Predators followed up their dominant Game 3 victory with a 4-1 triumph over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
Frederick Gaudreau provided his second straight game-winning goal, helping the Western Conference champions even the series at two wins apiece. Calle Jarnkrok, Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg also scored, and Pekka Rinne tallied 23 saves.
The Penguins still have home-ice advantage, but Nashville will return to the Steel City with renewed confidence.
Remaining Schedule
Game 5: Thursday, June 8, Nashville at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. ET
Game 6: Sunday, June 11, Pittsburgh at Nashville, 8 p.m. ET
*Game 7: Wednesday, June 14, Nashville at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. ET
* denotes if necessary. All games televised on NBC and CBC.
Pittsburgh opened Game 4 in more aggressive fashion, though it didn't result in an early lead. Nashville struck first before Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored on a breakaway.
During the second period, though, the Preds edged in front on a wraparound from Gaudreau and never looked back.
The sequence leading to the tally was intriguing. Rinne stoned Chris Kunitz on a breakaway before Matt Murray appeared to turn back Gaudreau's shot. But shortly after play continued, the NHL's Situation Room stopped the action to award the goal.
Then, Rinne played the preeminent role in Nashville staying ahead—a stark contrast to the earlier moments of the series.
Criticized after surrendering four goals in both Games 1 and 2, Rinne turned aside 21 consecutive shots to end the game and allowed just one goal for the second straight contest.
"It's hard to win when you score one goal," Pens coach Mike Sullivan said after the loss, per the team. "I thought tonight, of all nights, we generated the most chances of the highest quality."
Pittsburgh certainly did have great opportunities.
Rinne's sprawling stop was just one of several highlight-reel saves, denying the Penguins on the doorstep multiple times. After the game, Predators captain and birthday boy Mike Fisher lauded Rinne's "unbelievable saves" in the second period, according to Justin Bradford of Penalty Box Radio.
What's critical for Peter Laviolette's team is that Rinne maintains that form outside of Nashville. That's been significantly easier said than done during the 2017 postseason.
Sportsnet shared Rinne's home/road splits from the playoffs.
Nashville cannot hoist the Stanley Cup without a similar performance from Rinne in Pittsburgh at least once.
But if that happens Wednesday night, Rinne could help the Predators feast on home cooking—probably catfish—for the third time in what would be a decisive Game 6.
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.