Proving that the quality of their shots on goal matters more than the quantity, the Pittsburgh Penguins were outshot by the Nashville Predators for the second straight game on Wednesday, yet came up with the win.

The Penguins will be moving onto Game 3 with a 2-0 series lead after an exciting 4-1 win against the Predators at PPG Paints Arena.

The teams played a tight first period, with both goalies keeping their teams in the game.

The first goal was scored by Pontus Aberg on a power play with the Pens fighting a 5-on-3.  Olli Matta’s poor defense led to Arberg scoring the Preds’ first and only goal of the night.  Matt Murray looked alert and in great position, but got beat by a great shot by Arberg.

Rookie Jake Guentzel got lucky with the Pens’ first goal on Pekka Rinne.  The goal went in just by a hair as Rinne opened up just a little too far from the post, letting the puck in.

The atmosphere in PPG Paints Arena was aggressive and tense for the rest of the second, with fans getting more agitated from the lack of penalties called on the Predators.

For the majority of the second period the refs continued to be inconsistent with calls.  However, the Pens followed Murray’s calmness in the net and started to look more fluid on the ice.  Murray looked like he could finally see the puck well and was alert.  Both teams stayed even at 1-1 at end of second.

Within the first two minutes of the third, Guentzel recorded his second goal of the game and playoff-leading 12th when he converted a rebound to give the Penguins a 2-1 lead.

Ten seconds later, Scott Wilson was credited with a deflection at 3:13 of a Phil Kessel shot. Then post-season scoring leader Evgeni Malkin beat Rinne with a wicked shot high to the goalie’s glove side on a two-on-one at 3:28.

That triggered roars and chants of “We want the Cup!” from fans at PPG Paints Arena.

The scoring spree ended when the previously impeccable Rinne was removed from the Predators’ net to preserve what remained of his dignity.

The Penguins once again showed the focus that they have developed under Coach Mike Sullivan. Sullivan has turned the Penguins from a team that could not handle the high-pressure situations to a team that thrives under them.

Pittsburgh will take its 2-0 lead to Nashville for Game 3 on Saturday, halfway to sweeping the Predators.