A three-point night by Phil Kessel, as part of a 6-0 win over the Nashville Predators Thursday, helped the Pittsburgh Penguins move within one win from repeating as back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.
At the same time, Kessel, who scored his first goal of the series, made teammate Evgeni Malkin look prophetic after telling reporters a day earlier that Phil "The Thrill" would put an end to his six-game goalless drought.
“I mean, it's his time to score,” said Malkin Wednesday. “We know he like to play in tough situation. … He not score long time, but now it's time. Last game (on Monday), I think he show best game in series. I see in his eyes, he play so hard. I feel that (Thursday), he show great game."
After first assisting on a late goal by Malkin in the opening frame, Kessel made the score 5-0 for Pittsburgh with a wrist shot that beat Predators goaltender Juuse Saros in the second.
Kessel picked up his third point of the night before the end of the period with an assist on a goal by Ron Hainsey, for his fifth career three-point Stanley Cup Playoffs game.
The series, and the Stanley Cup, will travel to Nashville for Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena Sunday.
For a complete listing of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoff Performer of the Night, click here.