Unusual extra time off set up in Cup final

Time is on the Penguins' side, with or without momentum.

Up 2-0 on the Predators in the Stanley Cup final, with Game 3 tonight, the defending champions have no problem with the schedule that would require 17 days to complete the series if it goes seven games. That's how the Penguins won the Cup a year ago, following this exact pattern in beating the Sharks in six games.

"It's tough to know what it's all about until you go through it, and we were able to go through it last year," goalie Matt Murray said. "(You learn about) a lot of little things: How to deal with travel … how to deal with an opposing building."

Since the salary cap era began in 2006, only the 2016 and 2017 Cup finals have been spread out over more than 15 days. No series in the first three playoff rounds this spring was scheduled for more than 15 days.

AHL FINAL: Lightning affiliate Syracuse dropped Game 1 of the Calder Cup final to host Grand Rapids (Red Wings) 3-2 on a power-play goal in the last 30 seconds. Game 2 is tonight.