Penguins vs. Predators: Game 4 Stats and NHL Final 2017 Game 5 Schedule, Odds

After giving the appearance of a potential blowout after the first two games of the series, the Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators has the look of a classic after four games.

The Predators squared the series at 2-2 as a result of their 4-1 Monday night victory at the Bridgestone Arena over the defending Stanley Cup champions.

The home team outscored the Penguins 9-2 in the two games in Nashville, and one of the big keys was the return to form of goalie Pekka Rinne. He had given up eight goals in the two games in Pittsburgh and appeared unable to make the big stop at the key moment.

He was at his best in Game 4, as he stopped several point-blank opportunities throughout the game, including breakaways by Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby when the game was on the line.

"That was incredible," said Nashville forward Austin Watson, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "He saved our butt a few times tonight and we knew he would. [Rinne] is incredible. In these big moments, he's come out and shined for us and he made the saves when we needed them tonight."

Rinne made 23 saves on the 24 shots that he faced, and the only goal he allowed came on Crosby's first breakaway of the game in the first period that tied the game at 1-1.

Stanley Cup Final Schedule: Series tied 2-2

Game 5: Nashville at Pittsburgh, June 8, 8 p.m. ET, NBC

Game 6: Pittsburgh at Nashville, June 11, 8 p.m., NBC

Game 7: Nashville at Pittsburgh, June 14, 8 p.m., NBC (if necessary)

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Calle Jarnkrok had given the Predators a 1-0 as he jammed a rebound by Penguins goalie Matt Murray, and the Predators went back to leading when Frederick Gaudreau scored on a wraparound shot at the 3:45 mark of the second period.

Murray appeared to stop Gaudreau's effort with the paddle of his goalie stick, but off-ice officials blew the horn that is normally heard at the end of the period and the play was reviewed and quickly declared a goal.

Gaudreau's goal was his third of the Stanley Cup Final, and this undrafted free agent has clearly been the surprise of the series. He had played just a handful of games in his career prior to the start of the series and he had never scored an NHL goal.

"I heard it on the bench that it was possibly in the net," Gaudreau said, per the Associated Press (h/t CBSSports.com). "I wasn't certain. When I heard the horn, I sort of thought it was in."

The Preds were able to add to their lead when Viktor Arvidsson scored his first goal of the series on a breakaway after taking a slick pass from Nashville captain Mike Fisher, and Filip Forsberg concluded the scoring with an empty-net goal in the third period.

The Predators outshot the Penguins 26-24 in the game, and they have had the edge in that category in all four games. However, this was the closest margin of the four games that have been played. 

Both teams failed to score on the power play, as the Penguins were unsuccessful on three attempts while the Preds missed on both of their man-advantage opportunities.

The Pens had a 32-28 advantage in hits during the game and they also had an 18-15 advantage in blocked shots.

The home team has won all four games in the series, and the Penguins will have a chance to continue that pattern when they host Game 5 Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. The two teams will face off at 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised by NBC.

The oddsmakers believe that home ice should make the difference in Game 5, as the Penguins are minus-148 favorites according to OddsShark. A Pittsburgh bettor would have to wager $148 to win $100, while Nashville backers has to wager $100 to win $134.