Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Nashville Predators in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Sunday, June 11, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
Incredible 12 months for Sidney Crosby: Just think about what the Pittsburgh captain has done in a year's time: two Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythe tropies for playoff MVP, a World Cup title and even his second Rocket Richard Trophy for leading the National Hockey League this year with 44 goals. They're the first National Hockey League team to do so since the 1996-97 and 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings.
The Penguins' fifth title - all of which have been clinched on the road - tied the franchise with Edmonton Oilers for sixth on the all-time list.
Pittsburgh had two close calls in the final minute of what was the best period yet of the Final series but were denied by Predators goalie Rinne and hit a post seconds later.
"I'm hoping that he's going to save a stick or two from this Cup run", said Bruce Rainnie, executive director of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in Halifax, whose collection of memorabilia includes the famous puck-marked clothes dryer that is part of the Crosby legend. "It's kind of amusing when you go through this experience it's not really about you".
The Penguins flew home to Pittsburgh on Monday with the Cup in their possession for the third time in nine years. Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm form the core, and they are all strong blueliners who can also get the job done in the offensive zone.
"I think we still play together long time and maybe when we retire think about it", Malkin said. The problem is that we'll never quite know - because they never reviewed it.
Credit is due head coach Mike Sullivan and his staff. "We're going to be back here again next year".
Slam drought done, Nadal heads to grass
And I miss playing well at Wimbledon . "I had too many problems on my knee, so I was not able to practise at all. This was the third occasion (2008, 2010 & 2017) that Nadal had won at Roland Garros without dropping a set.
There's no telling how the rest of the game would have played out if Nashville's goal counted, but first goals in games like these are always crucial. And in elimination games during that stretch, he possesses a 0.953 save percentage and 1.27 GAA.
The Nashville Predators deserve many kudos for their postseason run. Referee Kevin Pollock blew the whistle when he lost sight of the puck, which was sitting behind Murray with lots of space in the crease for Sissons to tap it into the net.
Matt Murray stopped 27 shots in recording his second consecutive shutout. Said Crosby: "I'm sure he's pretty happy to lift it, and I was certainly happy to be able to pass it off to him".
"We never gave up", Fisher said.
Like last season, Fleury watched the Final from the bench, but without him, the Penguins are absolutely not back-to-back champions. But if Pittsburgh could repeat this season with a banged-up roster and one of the hardest paths to the final series, the Penguins have earned the right to be considered favorites again next season, when the team could cement its status as one of the NHL's great dynasties.
He traded for Ron Hainsey, Mark Streit and Frank Corrado, but the best move Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford might have made at this year's deadline was the one he ended up not making.
With a starting goalie who is only 23 and already has two championships under his belt, Pittsburgh should be a Cup contender for many, many years. The Pens had no power plays.
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