NHL Odds: Guentzel Leads the Way to 2-0 Series Lead

After escaping with a win despite being outplayed by the Nashville Predators in Game 1, the Pittsburgh Penguins knew they had to be better in Game 2. The Pens used a dominating third period to defeat the Predators 4-1 and take a 2-0 series lead. Pittsburgh can thank their rookie playoff standout Jake Guentzel (12 goals, 7 assists) for the series lead, as he scored the game-winning goal in both Games 1 and 2. With 19 points so far this postseason, Guentzel is now the highest scoring American-born rookie in NHL playoff history. Now holding all of the momentum, the Penguins head to Nashville for Game 3.

Despite carrying the play for nearly all of Game 1, the Predators are leaving Pittsburgh with nothing to show for their efforts. The biggest shock so far in the Finals has been the play of their starting goaltender, Pekka Rinne. Through two games against Pittsburgh, Rinne has allowed eight goals on 36 shots for a shocking 0.738 save percentage. If Nashville has any hope of climbing back into the series, they’ll need their goalie to be much better going forward. Game 3 is this Saturday at 8 PM ET on NBCSN.

NHL Odds: Champs Look to Take Series Stranglehold in Game 3

Rookie sensation Jake Guentzel has been the driving force behind the Pittsburgh Penguins’ success through two games against the Nashville Predators. After his two-goal night in Game 2, Guentzel (12 goals, 7 assists) sits just two points behind Dino Ciccarelli’s record for the most points scored by a rookie in the playoffs.

The Predators managed to keep the Penguins from getting a single shot for over 37 minutes in Game 1, but after the Preds climbed back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game at 3-3, Guentzel flew down the wing and put the Penguins back on top for good. Now down 2-0 in the series, the Predators will try to use the home ice crowd to reverse momentum and win Game 3 (Saturday at 8 PM ET on NBCSN).