The Pittsburgh Penguins wasted no time making a statement in Game 5 on Thursday night.
The club erupted with three goals in the opening frame to take a commanding lead over the Nashville Predators into the first intermission.
Related: Saros starts 2nd period of Game 5 after Rinne allows 3 goals
Justin Schultz got things started by wiring a shot from the point just a minute and a half in, snapping the Penguins' 0-for-15 streak on the power play.
Just five minutes later, Bryan Rust took advantage of a great Chris Kunitz pass and wired a backhand over the catching glove of Pekka Rinne.
Finally, Evgeni Malkin delivered the final dagger with just 11 seconds remaining in the period, as he rifled a one-timer past Rinne's catcher once again.
The three goals also spelled the end of the night for Rinne, who was replaced with Juuse Saros to start the second.