Jake Guentzel Scores Game Winning Goal Again as Penguins Win Game 2 of Stanley Cup Finals

Jake Guentzel scored the game winning goal in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, and repeated that feat in Game 2 as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Nashville Predators 4-1 on May 31st. Guentzel’s goal was one of three scored by Pittsburgh in the third period of the game to put it out of reach. Guentzel also scored the first Pittsburgh goal of the game in the first period.

The three goals were scored in the first three and a half minutes of the period, chasing Predators goalie Pekka Rinne. Rinne had been excellent in the post season, but that’s come to an end at the worst possible time for Nashville. He gave up four goals on 11 shots on goal in Game 1, and gave up four goals on 25 shots in Game 2. He was replaced by Juuse Saros.

The good news for the Predators is that the series moves to Nashville for Games 3 and 4, where the Predators—and Rinne—are 7-1 in the post season this year. The bad news is that Rinne has always had trouble with the Penguins. He’s 1-7-2 lifetime with a 3.57 goals against average against Pittsburgh. No word yet on whether Saros will get the call to start Game 3 on June 3rd. The relief work he did in Game 2 was his first career Stanley Cup playoff appearance.