Jake Guentzel scored one of his biggest goals as a Penguin on May 29, 2017.
Six years ago today, Jake Guentzel scored one of his biggest goals as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, a game-winner in the opening game of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final.
It was 2017 and the Penguins were back in the Stanley Cup Final and again hosting Game 1 of the series. This time it was the Nashville Predators in town.
This Game 1 had a lot of similar vibes to the opening game of the series one year prior with the Sharks.
The Penguins came alive late in the opening period of the game with Evgeni Malkin, Conor Sheary, and Nick Bonino all scoring goals in a matter of less than 5 minutes, taking a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
This would be the last we would see of the offense for a while.
Nashville slowly made their way back in the game as Ryan Ellis, Colton Sissons, and Frederick Gaudreau evened the game up at 3-3 as the Penguins went a staggering 37 minutes without a shot on goal.
Pittsburgh’s first shot on net after the 37 minute pause was a good one as Jake Guentzel broke the tie.
Guentzel’s 11th goal of the playoffs was the game-winner before Nick Bonino put the game on ice with an empty-netter.