Penguins Defend Home Ice in Game 5

It is no secret that the Stanley Cup finals are the only competitive championship series in sports right now. Game 5, however, was anything but competitive. Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins made a statement at home in their 6-0 victory over the Nashville Predators.

The scoring leaders for the game were Crosby (three assists), Phil Kessel (one goal, two assists) and Ron Hainsey (one goal, one assist).

Home Ice Advantage

With the win, the Penguins continued the trend of defending home ice. Neither team has been able to win on the road in this series. The home team has won by an average of 3.6 goals a game.

How It Happened

The Penguins wasted no time, starting with a Jason Schultz goal just one-minute into the contest. It came on an assist from Crosby after he drew a penalty, forcing a power play. Bryan Rust found the back of the net a few minutes later, extending the lead to 2-0.

He doesn't look Rusty to us!

10 of Rust’s 13 career playoff goals have come at home. pic.twitter.com/8mSbStEY0a

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 9, 2017

With just 10 seconds left in the first period, Evgeni Malkin converted on a spectacular pass from Phil Kessel.

The second period started very similar to the first. Just 1:19 into the period, Conor Sheary scored on Crosby’s second assist of the night. The onslaught only increased as the minutes passed. About eight minutes after a goal from Kessel, even defenseman Ron Hainsey got in on the action, finishing a flashy pass through P.K. Subban’s legs from Malkin.

Crosby vs. Subban

Sidney Crosby and P.K. Subban can’t settle their issues with one another. It originated when Crosby told Subban his breath smelled early in the series, and since then is has only become more violent. With one minute remaining in the first period, both players were called for holding. This came as a result of Crosby on top of Subban, repeatedly pushing his helmet into the ice until Subban retaliated by forcing Crosby into a headlock.

Crosby would have the last laugh as he finished the game with three assists and his team’s 6-0 win.

Also, earning his 20th point in the Stanley Cup, Crosby surpassed Penguin great Mario Lemieux for most points by a Penguin player in Stanley Cup history.

Next Up

The Penguins will have a chance to close out the series and win their fifth Stanley Cup Sunday. The first drop of the puck is scheduled for 8 p.m. in Nashville.