Michael Whitaker
This season, the Detroit Red Wings playoff streak officially came to an end. And now, another milestone of theirs has been snapped.
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators tonight by a 2-0 final score to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup, meaning the Red Wings are no longer the last team to win back-to-back championships. Detroit ended a 42-year drought by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in 1997 and followed it up by defeating the Washington Capitals the following year, both sweeps.
The Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks in six games last season and topped Nashville in six games this year to keep the Stanley Cup in the Steel City.
Patric Hornqvist scored the game-winning goal with 1:35 remaining in regulation time, and Carl Hagelin added an empty-netter to seal the deal.
Additionally, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smythe Trophy yet again as playoff MVP.
The Nashville Predators Cinderella playoff run finally came to an end after pulling off a stunning sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks, followed by victories over the St. Louis Blues and Anaheim Ducks.
The Predators were missing some of their offensive firepower with playoff-ending injuries to center Ryan Johansen and winger Kevin Fiala, while All-Star goaltender Pekka Rinne faltered on the road against the Penguins. Pittsburgh was without defenseman Kris Letang and winger Nick Bonino.
