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Stanley Cup Final Game 1: Comeback Falls Short

Just a few things that caught my eye:

  • 37 minutes. Between shots. By Pittsburgh. Seriously? They didn't deserve this win.
  • The coach's challenge was never intended to be used the way it is today. Just saying.

  • No shots in the second? Four after the first? Matt Murray took a couple of hard hits, but he was the only reason the Pens survived to win.
  • Austin Watson was a beast. That tater he served up to Frederick Gaudreau showed just how smart and strong he is. It would have been easy for him to step toward the net and try the wrap, but he instead took one extra step to make a perfect pass into the slot.
  • Nick Bonino's goals were the cheapest of cheap -- one fluke on a weird bounce off Mattias Ekholm and another into an empty net. But that's not how they'll be remembered.
  • Not only did Pittsburgh not get a shot in the second, they didn't get one until the 16:43 mark of the third. Yikes.
  • P.K. Subban was sublime. But his excellence got me to thinking. The Preds can only protect three defenders ... will they expose the $9 million Subban? Roman Josi ($4 mil), Ekholm ($3.75 mil) and Ryan Ellis ($2.5 mil) make a combined $10. 25 million. The Preds don't throw money away.
  • Pekka Rinne allowed a goal on a 5-on-3 and a bounce off a teammate. Both nearly impossible situations. The Pens know they got some lucky bounces. Game 2 should be different.
  • How many Conn Smythe votes does Jake Guentzel get if he keeps sniping this way? He's even doing it at even strength.
  • 3-0 has to be the worst lead in hockey. The Pens held on. Barely.