NASHVILLE — It was prior to Game 4 when word filtered down that the National Hockey League would not be accepting Conn Smythe Trophy ballots with two names on them.
You know, just in case anyone was thinking about splitting their vote and putting Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray AND Marc-Andre Fleury, who have shared the net this season, on the same ballot. Of course, based on the Nashville Predators’ 4-1 win against the Penguins on Monday, there was only one goalie now worthy of the award.
And his name isn’t Murray.
Pekka Rinne, who had been the reason why Nashville had lost the first two games of the Stanley Cup final, has been the reason why the Predators, who outscored the Penguins 9-2 at home, are now heading back to Pittsburgh with the best-of-seven series tied 2-2.