The Nashville Predators had more rest and were riding a three-game win streak in opening round games in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but after three first-period goals, the Penguins took Game 1 of the finals.

PK Subban scored first on a lethal wrist shot, but upon further review, the goal was disallowed after Filip Forsberg was ruled offsides.

After dual penalties by Calle Jarnkrok and James Neal, the Penguins were able to capitalize as Evgeni Malkin scored his eighth goal of the postseason to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead.

About a minute later, the Penguins scored again as Chris Kunitz found Conor Sheary for an easy finish and a 2-0 lead.

Just before the end of the first period, the Preds got some bad luck as Nick Bonino’s shot was deflected by Pekka Rinne and off Mattias Ekholm for a 3-0 Penguins lead.

The Preds tried to battle their way back as Ryan Ellis scored 8 minutes into the second period to cut the Pittsburgh lead to 3-1.

In the third period, the Preds added two goals, one from Colton Sissons and another from Frederick Guadreau to tie the game at 3-3.

But the Penguins had one last push as Jake Guentzel scored the game winner after the team went nearly 37 minutes without a single shot on the goal.

Pittsburgh then added an empty netter, taking the lead 5-3.

Game two of the Stanley Cup finals will be tomorrow night (Wednesday, May 31, 2017) in Pittsburgh. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Nashville.