It can all end tonight in Nashville when the Pittsburgh Penguins come into town with a 3-2 Stanley Cup series lead and face off against the home-standing Nashville Predators. I remain the worst hockey analyst in the business, but that hasn’t stopped me from live blogging this series the whole way. It also shouldn’t stop you from following along.
As always, scroll on down for the live blog. Keep reading for the press release from the NHL.
5 Keys: Penguins at Predators, Game 6
Victory gives Pittsburgh Stanley Cup for second straight year; Nashville defenseman Ryan Ellis may not play because of injury
PENGUINS at PREDATORS
8 p.m. ET; NBC, CBC, SN, TVA Sports
Pittsburgh leads best-of-7 series 3-2
NASHVILLE — The Pittsburgh Penguins will win the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive year, and become the first NHL team to win back-to-back championships since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998, with a victory against the Nashville Predators in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday.
The Penguins have won the Cup four times, ending the series on the road each time.
The Predators are 9-1 at Bridgestone Arena during the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The home team has won every game in the series.
Here are 5 keys for Game 6:
1. Defenseman Ryan Ellis’ status
Ellis left Game 5 with an undisclosed injury in the second period and did not return. He skated on his own but did not participate in an optional morning skate Sunday.
Defensemen Anthony Bitetto or Brad Hunt could play if Ellis isn’t available. Neither has appeared in a game during the postseason.
“Well, we’ve all played with each other so we’re confident with whoever goes over those boards,” defenseman Matt Irwin said. “It’s just a matter of communication, just like you do with your [defense] pairings as is. It’s just a lot of talking.”
2. Seize the opportunity
The Penguins have a chance to win the Stanley Cup and not face the Predators in a winner-take-all Game 7. They want to be prepared for the best game the Predators have to offer.
“If you can see your ultimate goal right in front of you, you should be able to drive yourself to have the best game of your life,” forward Chris Kunitz said. “That’s why we’re all here, to win. You don’t get this opportunity too much, but also, they’re going to be coming with their best game. If we sit back or not watch and not stay focused, that’s their chance to jump into it.”
3. Sidney Crosby’s dominance
Crosby has four points (one goal, three assists) for the Penguins in the past two games.
“I think he’ll play his game and I think he’ll bring his very best,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s a difference maker. I think he sets the tone for our team. He’s the heartbeat of this hockey team, and his leadership certainly helps this team be the type of team or create the identity that we want to create.”
The game is on NBC at 8 p.m. EST. Watch it with me.
