Stanley Cup Final 2017: Penguins vs. Predators Game 3 Odds and Predictions

The Nashville Predators have learned that it's not enough to have a territorial edge in play and dominate in the number of shots on goal during the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Despite taking charge in both of those categories, the Predators find themselves in an 0-2 hole as they prepare for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final Saturday night at the Bridgestone Arena. Faceoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised by NBCSN.

The Predators are in a must-win situation as they prepare to play in front of their home fans. While they will still have life if they drop Game 3 and fall in an 0-3 hole, the chances of them registering a comeback against the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins from such a position are remote.

The change of venue should help the Predators, who have built a 7-1 record in Nashville during the postseason. Pekka Rinne has been quite effective at home in the playoffs, something that was not the case during the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh.

Rinne has allowed eight goals while facing 36 shots to this point in the series, and his .778 save percentage has been disastrous.

"I think you've got to just do your best to put it behind you," Rinne said Friday, per Joe Rexrode of the Tennessean. "Of course you think about things and you go through the games and different situations, and you try to be better and learn from it, and be ready for the next one."

While Rinne has struggled, Penguins goalie Matt Murray has been a clutch goaltender for his game. He has allowed just four goals in the first two games of the series, and he has also come up with those saves in a timely manner.

Nashville took a 1-0 lead in Game 2 on an artistic move by Pontus Aberg, but Murray shut the door on the Preds the rest of the way. He was particularly effective throughout the first period when the Preds had a number of opportunities and could have built on their lead.

The Preds need a major reversal of form from both goaltenders. They need Filip Forsberg, James Neal and Colton Sissons to start pumping a few more goals by Murray, while Rinne has to regain the excellence he had earlier in the postseason.

Rinne performed at a very high level in Nashville's series victories over the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks. He had a 12-4 record with a 1.70 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage through the first three rounds.

He has been leaking goals against the Penguins, and turning it around will not be easy. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel can solve the best goalies when they are playing well, and they are more than capable of continuing to put pressure on Rinne. Red-hot rookie Jake Guentzel has scored a league-leading 12 goals in the postseason, and he appears to have figured out Rinne with three goals in two games.

The oddsmakers are giving the Predators a strong chance to win Game 3 and get back into the series. The Predators are -132 favorites to win the game, according to OddsShark. A Nashville backer would have to wager $132 on the Predators to earn a profit of $100. Pittsburgh is a +120 underdog.

The Penguins are overwhelming favorites to hoist the Stanley Cup at the conclusion of the series. They are -600 favorites, while the Preds are +400 underdogs to mount a comeback and bring the franchise its first championship.

Prediction

The Predators have played sensational hockey through the majority of the playoffs, but they have faltered on the biggest stage.

While playing at Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena did not work out during the first two games, a change of venue to the Predators' Bridgestone Arena should bring out the team's best game.

Look for the Predators to break out to an early lead as they continue to have an edge in territorial play. While the Penguins are likely to challenge at some point in the game, the Predators should have enough skill and will to earn their first win in the series.

Nashville earns a solid victory in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final series.