This Stanley Cup Final certainly hasn't lacked drama, and there's no shortage of compelling plot lines heading into Sunday's Game 6.
The Pittsburgh Penguins can repeat as champions with a victory, but the fans at Bridgestone Arena will be hell-bent on throwing the visitors off their game in the Nashville Predators' final home date of the season.
It's nail-biting time for supporters of the two clubs, but it's a win-win for hockey fans who don't have a horse in the race, as they'll either witness a back-to-back title victory or be gifted with a Game 7 in the Cup Final for the first time since 2011.
Here are three interesting storylines to ponder in Game 6:
Will Subban regret irking Crosby?
P.K. Subban has done his best to get under the skin of Sidney Crosby, but the Predators defenseman's efforts may continue to bring out the best in the Penguins' leader.
Subban has gone at Crosby all series, most notably getting in his grill near the end of Game 3, joking that the Penguins' leader said he had bad breath, and pinning his foot with what Crosby called "some UFC move" during their Game 5 tussle.
The Nashville blueliner would probably say he has no regrets about repeatedly egging on arguably the NHL's best player, but Crosby responded to their Game 3 confrontation with his only goal of the series in Game 4, so a similar on-ice answer could be coming on the heels of their Game 5 wrestling match.
The 'rookie' might do it again
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
The fact the NHL still considers Matt Murray a rookie is a bit ridiculous, but what he's doing at his age needs to be acknowledged.
He could hoist the Stanley Cup for the second time in as many seasons, and given that the Penguins goaltender turned 23 less than three weeks ago, that's pretty remarkable.
Murray has been much better at home this postseason, but earning a championship-clinching victory in hostile territory would help to quiet that narrative and make his early-career accomplishments even more impressive.
Malkin, Crosby can ascend to new heights
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
The legacies of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be just fine regardless of the outcome of this game, thank you very much, but the two superstars can take their status as a dynamic duo to a new level with a win Sunday.
They'll have two cracks at it, but a victory in Game 6 would ensure them of membership in the rather exclusive club of legendary teammates who've won three championships together, joining the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, and other greats including Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier.
Strong performances in Game 6 from the two stars would also further state their case to share the Conn Smythe Trophy for their contributions this spring.
They've carried a Penguins squad that was once again decimated by injuries, combining for 18 goals and 55 points in this playoff run.
No sensible person is questioning Crosby and Malkin's place in history, but another victory would put them in rarefied air.
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