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Pittsburgh Penguins: Rookie Jake Guentzel Continues to Impress

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

May 29, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) celebrates after scoring a goal past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the third period in game one of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Jake Guentzel (59) celebrates after scoring a goal past Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the third period in game one of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals, and one player boosted us to victory in particular.

It was 3-0 for the Pittsburgh Penguins heading into the second period and the Penguins were ecstatic with the lead. Unfortunately for them, they allowed the Predators to tie the game up at 3 a piece by the third period.

With the game knotted up again, the Penguins needed a hero. They had to look to a player that they’ve been looking towards all playoffs long.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins /

Pittsburgh Penguins

Likely Hero

Jake Guentzel has gotten use to this. He has been playing at an elite level all season long, and he has only been playing better and better all playoffs long.

At 16:43 of the third period, Guentzel released a magnificent wrist shot above Pekka Rinne to put the Penguins above the Predators. The goal proved to be the game-winner, and despite the fact that the Penguins only took 12 shots on net, they were able to capitalize on five of them.

Still on Top

This performance just adds to Guentzel’s amazing playoff run. For a rookie call-up in the middle of the season, people may have expected him to slot in as a decent player. Nobody would have ever expected him to lead his team, let alone the league in goals.

Well Guentzel has gone and done exactly that. With 10 goals in these playoffs, he leads the entire league in goals scored, despite being in his first playoffs. In fact, he was playing fourth line minutes last night and still propelled himself as the star of the game.

Jake Guentzel is something interesting. He has a future in this league, and he is making a statement for the Conn Smythe Trophy. If the Penguins manage to win the Stanley Cup, he deserves a good amount of credit for his amazing efforts. This kid is special.

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