The Pittsburgh Penguins are the 2017 Stanley Cup champions following a 2-0 Game 6 win over the Nashville Predators. Here are the top photos from their legacy-defining win:
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby won his second consecutive Conn Smythe trophy. But, it wasn't the prize he most coveted.
That belonged to the Stanley Cup itself. And he was quick to hand it over to 14-year NHL veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey, who played in the postseason for the first time in his career this season.
Predators fans were out in full force before and during the game.
They were quick to direct their sadness/anger at Gary Bettman following the game, relentlessly booing the NHL commissioner during his speech.
The victory is the third in the careers of Crosby and fellow center Evgeni Malkin, cementing their legacies as the cornerstones of a Penguins dynasty which has now won three Stanley Cups.
Defenseman Kris Letang - who was a key part of the Penguins' previous two Cup victories didn't play a single game during the 2017 playoffs - was quick to take to the ice in full equipment to celebrate the win.
The Predators appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the second period when forward Colton Sissons buried a loose puck in the crease beside Penguins goaltender Matt Murray. The goal, however, was waved off by referee Kevin Pollock who blew a quick whistle on the play.
There's no telling if this will be the end of the Penguins' historic run. They have 15 players under contract for next season, including goaltenders Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury.
It's the second year in a row the Penguins won the Cup on the road, but fans stuck in Pittsburgh still showed up to PPG Paints Arena for the watch party and what will surely be a lengthy celebration.
Even though the Predators came up short in the franchise's first-ever trip to the Stanley Cup Final, their fans proved Nashville is a serious hockey market and general manager David Poile has built a roster capable of contending for many years to come.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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