With a shotless contest in Game 3, Sidney Crosby's problems in Stanley Cup Final games persisted.

The Pittsburgh Penguins captain was limited to a single assist in Game 3 in 20:42 of ice time, pushing his current goalless skid to five games. However, in the bigger picture, his struggles to score in the Stanley Cup Finals have become much more alarming.

After Saturday night's effort, Crosby has just one goal in his last 19 Cup Final games. In fact, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner has tallied just three goals in 22 Cup Final games during his four trips to the final round.

His last goal in a Cup Final game came back in Game 4 against the Detroit Red Wings in 2009 and prior to that his only other two goals came in Game 3 of the 2008 Final against those same Red Wings, meaning Crosby has gone goalless in 20 of his 22 career Cup Final contests.

What doesn't help Crosby's chances in these games is that he has managed just 52 shots on goal, giving him an average of 2.4 per game, not exactly what you would expect from Sid.

If Crosby does have one thing going for him, it's that, despite being snake-bitten in the goals department, he's still posted a respectable 16 points in those 22 games and, on top of that, he has two Stanley Cup rings.

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Since 2013-14, only four defensemen have registered more regular-season points than Predators anchor Roman Josi (205): Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns, Victor Hedman, and Dustin Byfuglien.

That's some pretty well-known company, but despite production that places him among the league's elite blue-liners, Josi was severely underrated before Nashville's run to the Stanley Cup Final. He's gained more respect while playing on the national stage, but why isn't Josi already a bigger star? Here are four possible reasons he's been overlooked.

Shea Weber's D partner

During his first five seasons in the NHL, Josi was paired predominantly with Shea Weber. The perennial Norris candidate, team captain, Olympic gold medalist, and owner of the league's hardest shot obviously drew most of the attention.

Small-market, Western Conference team

Though Smashville has gained admirers across the continent during these playoffs, it's still one of the smallest markets in the NHL, and as a young franchise, the Predators don't have a storied history.

They also play in the Western Conference, so many of their games are late at night for viewers who live farther east, and East Coast bias is still a thing. Few prime-time games on major networks - the Predators only played on NBCSN twice during the regular season - make it tough to watch Josi unless you have NHL GameCenter or live in Tennessee.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Switzerland's low hockey profile

Players from Canada and the United States get more attention while playing in their respective countries, and even players from Sweden, Finland, and Russia are highlighted on the international stage. But playing for Switzerland means Josi's rarely been seen competing in the late stages of the Olympics, World Championship, or world juniors.

The only time he did appear in an international final - the 2013 World Championship - he was named tournament MVP at age 22, and scored the only goal in a 5-1 loss to Sweden.

Not a highly touted prospect

Had Josi been a top pick in his draft class, his nationality may not have mattered much. Anze Kopitar (Slovenia), Marian Hossa (Slovakia), and Leon Draisaitl (Germany) are widely considered stars despite hailing from smaller hockey nations. Kopitar's and Hossa's profiles were raised by Stanley Cup wins, but all three players were high draft picks.

Instead, Josi was a second-round selection in 2008, and while there may have been some hype surrounding him within the Predators organization, it certainly wasn't league-wide. He just came into the league and quietly became a great defenseman by his third season.

Is Josi a star now?

Josi's certainly left his mark on the Stanley Cup Playoffs: He has 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 19 games with a team-leading 67 shots on goal. He's an exceptionally smooth skater with a rocket of a shot, as well as one of the league's most disciplined players - and the hockey world has taken notice.

Expect the NHL to start marketing Josi like the star he is next season.

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The Nashville Predators faithful did not disappoint on Saturday.

The entire city was in a frenzy before, during, and after the club's triumphant 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3. It was a spectacle, one that defenseman P.K. Subban correctly predicted ahead of the game.

Related: Subban says Nashville's arena will 'be even louder in Game 4'

Here is just a slight sample of the craziness that occurred during the team's first ever Stanley Cup Final game.

They don't call it Smashville for nothing.

While it was a great day for hockey, it wasn't a great day to go for a cruise downtown.

Inside Bridgestone Arena, Predators mascot Gnash got the party started.

Of course, what's a Preds game without a catfish (don't worry this one is fake).

This one on the other hand ...

And this one.

Pekka Rinne was back to his old tricks.

Inevitably, things got a little chippy.

Though, Craig Smith did also deliver some finesse.

All in all, it was one hell of a day in the Music City.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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Predators defenseman P.K. Subban has aced his predictions thus far. Not only did he guarantee a Game 3 win, but he also claimed it would be one of the best atmospheres in NHL history.

Well, the Preds took care of the Penguins on Saturday, and Bridgestone Arena was absolutely rocking. It may be a tough atmosphere to top, but Subban is pretty certain it can be done.

"Our fans don't get enough credit for knowing the game and knowing hockey. And they do know the game. And they understand the importance of these games. You thought it was loud today? It'll be even louder in Game 4," he said, according to Yahoo! Sports' Greg Wyshynski.

Related: Listen: Preds fans give Murray the business with awesome chant

Some of the chants the fans scream out - and the synchronization they do it with - makes the atmosphere resemble that of an overseas soccer game or a college football contest.

The good people of Smashville have certainly made Bridgestone Arena a hostile environment for visiting teams, as Nashville now holds an 8-1 record at home during the postseason.

Even during the regular season - in which the Preds stumbled into the playoffs as the West's second wild-card team and the NHL's 16th seed overall - they posted a record of 24-9-8 at home. Only Washington, Pittsburgh, and Anaheim finished with fewer regulation losses at home.

If Game 4 is even louder than Game 3 was, it only increases the chances of Subban and the Preds evening the series up at two games apiece.

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The Nashville Predators' defense corps hit new heights Saturday night.

Roman Josi led the way with a goal and two assists to jump into second in defenseman scoring this postseason, while Mattias Ekholm collected a goal - his first of the playoffs - and an assist in the team's crucial 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ekholm's two-point outing made Nashville just the third team in NHL history to have four defensemen record double-digit points in a single playoffs, joining the 1984 Edmonton Oilers and the 1993 Los Angeles Kings.

The Predators quartet has combined for 47 points in 19 games. Meanwhile, the Oilers of '84 recorded 52 points in 19 games, while the '93 Kings' top-four had 43 combined points in 24 games.

Like the old saying goes: "defense wins championships."

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With the offseason underway for a number of teams and the remainder to join them in a few weeks, we're looking at what's in store for each club in the coming months.

2016-17 Grade: F

The disparity between the regular-season Western Conference champions and the outfit that managed just three goals in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Nashville Predators earns this year's Blackhawks a big fat F.

General manager Stan Bowman himself called the season a "complete failure," after bowing out of the playoffs in the first round for the second time in as many seasons.

The Blackhawks, as usual, are stuck to the salary cap ceiling, and some serious upheaval might be required to make things work, and help an aging, but still star-studded roster take another crack at glory.

Free Agents

None of these expiring contracts are all-too pressing, and the Blackhawks have awarded forward Richard Panik and defenseman Michal Kempny with extensions so far in the offseason.

The most interesting decision surrounds Jurco, the former Red Wings prospect acquired by the club for a third-round pick before the trade deadline. Jurco has struggled to find his stride in parts of four NHL seasons, but he could fit on the wing for the cap-strapped Blackhawks.

2017 Draft Picks

Chicago has a bevy of late picks, and while it's a good opportunity to stock its cupboard with promising prospects, Bowman would be wise to attempt to package picks with a high-salary player to create some cap space.

Summer Priorities

1. Don't let Vegas take van Riemsdyk

Due to no-movement clauses in the contracts of defensemen Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, and Niklas Hjalmarsson, Chicago's expansion protection choices are already made on the back end should it choose the 7-3-1 format.

That would leave Trevor van Riemsdyk exposed for the Golden Knights, something the Blackhawks should nullify by offering Vegas general manager George McPhee one, or multiple of their excess draft picks in exchange for not picking van Riemsdyk in the expansion draft.

Van Riemsdyk, 25, made positive strides last season and is only owed $825,000 for 2017-18. Sorting out a deal to keep the defenseman would make Marcus Kruger the best player available for Vegas, and his potential departure to Sin City would take $3.083 million off Chicago's books.

2. Unload a big contract

This won't be easy, but Bowman needs to explore all options to get rid of one of the numerous long-term contracts burdening the Blackhawks' ledger.

Some of the deals restraining Chicago's flexibility include:

Again, it won't be easy. If Bowman can find a deal to move any of these players, he should take it, even if it includes retaining salary.

Trading either defenseman makes more sense, as the Blackhawks can ill-afford to further deteriorate their forward depth. However, on the decline, Seabrook might not have many takers, while losing Hjalmarsson would greatly hurt Chicago's defensive-zone play.

In hindsight, choosing any of the above players as a cap casualty rather than, say, Brandon Saad or Teuvo Teravainen, might have helped Chicago avoid this particular pickle in 2017, but it's paramount Bowman analyzes all avenues to afford himself some breathing room.

3. Give DeBrincat a shot

(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)

This decision will come closer to training camp, but the Blackhawks need to give Alex DeBrincat a serious look for an NHL job.

DeBrincat's size (5-foot-7) pushed him down draft boards to 39th overall last June, where Chicago shrewdly nabbed him. As a member of the Erie Otters, DeBrincat recorded a whopping 65 goals and 62 assists in 2016-17, earning him CHL Player of the Year honors for 2016-17.

In each of his three seasons with Erie, DeBrincat recorded 100-plus points, making him one of just eight players to do so in the OHL's modern era. His height may be a concern, but his junior days are clearly behind him, and Chicago should take advantage of his cheap entry-level cap hit.

2017-18 Outlook

The Blackhawks have been in this position before, but this time around - with their core growing older - it feels like something has to give for the club to rediscover its championship identity.

Writing off Chicago as contenders is a little premature, but in order to maintain and continue its run of success in the Western Conference, the Blackhawks' salary conundrum needs to be resolved this summer.

Offseason Outlook Series

COL | VAN | NJD | ARI | BUF
DET | DAL | FLA | LAK | CAR
WPG | PHI | TBL | NYI | WSH
TOR | CGY | BOS | SJS | STL
NYR | EDM | MTL | ANA | MIN
CBJ | CHI | OTT | PIT | NAS
LGK

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It's getting personal in the Stanley Cup Final.

P.K. Subban revealed after his Nashville Predators won Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final 5-1 that he was the victim of a vicious chirp from Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who accused the defender of having bad breath.

"Usually when guys chirp after the game or during the game, it's usually about your game or something personal," Subban said, according to Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski. "(Crosby) went on to tell me that my breath smelled bad, and I really don't understand why, because I use Listerine before the game. I thought my breath smelled great. But at the end of the day, we're just going to take the win and move on."

Three things:

1. Credit to Subban for being the, uh, bigger man.
2. Crosby needs to work on his trash-talking game.
3. If they weren't hockey fans at Listerine headquarters before Saturday night, they sure are now.

Predators goalie Pekka Rinne, meanwhile, came to the defense of his star defenseman.

"P.K.'s a classy guy. He always flosses," Rinne said, according to The Associated Press' Stephen Whyno.

One more thing: Subban's dentist has to be extremely pleased with his dental habits.

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