Predators Roll Again, Even Series With Penguins
The Nashville Predators have successfully used their home-ice advantage the way we thought they would, as they rolled again on Monday night for a 4-1 victory. The win evens the series at two apiece, as the Predators used three unanswered goals to break a 1-1 tie. Frederick Gaudreau recorded the game-winning goal in just his sixth career postseason game. That goal came just 3:45 into the second period, as the 24-year-old undrafted rookie became the second player in NHL history to score his first three career goals in the Stanley Cup Finals. Pekka Rinne stood on his head yet again after struggling in Pittsburgh, as he made 23 saves and helped the Predators improve to 9-1 at home this postseason. Calle Jarnkrok, Viktor Arvidsson, and Filip Forsberg also scored, as the Predators outscored the Penguins 9-2 in Games 3 and 4. Sidney Crosby recorded his first goal of the series and eighth of the playoffs in the loss. Goalie Matt Murray suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career and finished the night with 22 saves. The series will shift back to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Thursday night.
Astros Top Royals for 11th Straight Win
The Houston Astros have everything clicking for them right now, as they have all season long so far, and they used that momentum to record their 11th straight win on Monday night. Brian McCann and Yuli Gurriel both went deep in the Astros' 7-3 road win over the Kansas City Royals, which was also their 11th straight road victory. McCann's fourth-inning two-run blast snapped him out of a 1-for-16 slump in the five games since returning from the concussion disabled list. Gurriel added a three-run blast in the ninth off of Kelvin Herrera, making it the second straight game with a home run for him, and now 10 RBI during a six-game hitting streak. Nori Aoki and George Springer also knocked in runs, as the Astros set a franchise record with their road win streak. They are now 22-6 away from home this season, and Mike Fiers improved to 3-2 after allowing just two runs over five innings. He improved to 6-0 in his past 10 road starts, dating back to August 20th. Jorge Bonifacio went deep, while Eric Hosmer and Alcides Escobar drove in runs for the Royals in the loss. Kansas City starter Ian Kennedy fell to 0-6 on the season after allowing four runs over five innings. This series continues with game 2 on Tuesday night.
Nationals Double-Up Dodgers Out West
In what could very likely be a playoff matchup preview, the Washington Nationals got the best of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night. Anthony Rendon went deep, while Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs over six innings, improving to 5-1 with a 4-2 victory. Gonzalez struck out five and walked two, as the Nats improved their National League-best record to 36-20, increasing their NL East lead to 11.5 games. Bryce Harper snapped out of an 0-for-15 slump with an RBI single in the fifth, and Matt Wieters added a two-run single in the fourth for Washington. Franklin Gutierrez and Chris Taylor drove in both Dodger runs in the sixth inning, but their offense was shut down by three scoreless innings from the Nats bullpen. Enny Romero threw two scoreless innings, Matt Albers got the first out of the ninth, and Oliver Perez finished things off for his third career save. L.A. starter Hyun-Jin Ryu went a season-high seven innings, allowed all four runs, and suffered his sixth loss of the season. The Dodgers will host the Nats for game 2 of the series on Tuesday night.
The Nashville Predators have successfully used their home-ice advantage the way we thought they would, as they rolled again on Monday night for a 4-1 victory. The win evens the series at two apiece, as the Predators used three unanswered goals to break a 1-1 tie. Frederick Gaudreau recorded the game-winning goal in just his sixth career postseason game. That goal came just 3:45 into the second period, as the 24-year-old undrafted rookie became the second player in NHL history to score his first three career goals in the Stanley Cup Finals. Pekka Rinne stood on his head yet again after struggling in Pittsburgh, as he made 23 saves and helped the Predators improve to 9-1 at home this postseason. Calle Jarnkrok, Viktor Arvidsson, and Filip Forsberg also scored, as the Predators outscored the Penguins 9-2 in Games 3 and 4. Sidney Crosby recorded his first goal of the series and eighth of the playoffs in the loss. Goalie Matt Murray suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career and finished the night with 22 saves. The series will shift back to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Thursday night.
Astros Top Royals for 11th Straight Win
The Houston Astros have everything clicking for them right now, as they have all season long so far, and they used that momentum to record their 11th straight win on Monday night. Brian McCann and Yuli Gurriel both went deep in the Astros' 7-3 road win over the Kansas City Royals, which was also their 11th straight road victory. McCann's fourth-inning two-run blast snapped him out of a 1-for-16 slump in the five games since returning from the concussion disabled list. Gurriel added a three-run blast in the ninth off of Kelvin Herrera, making it the second straight game with a home run for him, and now 10 RBI during a six-game hitting streak. Nori Aoki and George Springer also knocked in runs, as the Astros set a franchise record with their road win streak. They are now 22-6 away from home this season, and Mike Fiers improved to 3-2 after allowing just two runs over five innings. He improved to 6-0 in his past 10 road starts, dating back to August 20th. Jorge Bonifacio went deep, while Eric Hosmer and Alcides Escobar drove in runs for the Royals in the loss. Kansas City starter Ian Kennedy fell to 0-6 on the season after allowing four runs over five innings. This series continues with game 2 on Tuesday night.
Nationals Double-Up Dodgers Out West
In what could very likely be a playoff matchup preview, the Washington Nationals got the best of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night. Anthony Rendon went deep, while Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs over six innings, improving to 5-1 with a 4-2 victory. Gonzalez struck out five and walked two, as the Nats improved their National League-best record to 36-20, increasing their NL East lead to 11.5 games. Bryce Harper snapped out of an 0-for-15 slump with an RBI single in the fifth, and Matt Wieters added a two-run single in the fourth for Washington. Franklin Gutierrez and Chris Taylor drove in both Dodger runs in the sixth inning, but their offense was shut down by three scoreless innings from the Nats bullpen. Enny Romero threw two scoreless innings, Matt Albers got the first out of the ninth, and Oliver Perez finished things off for his third career save. L.A. starter Hyun-Jin Ryu went a season-high seven innings, allowed all four runs, and suffered his sixth loss of the season. The Dodgers will host the Nats for game 2 of the series on Tuesday night.
