NHL: First blood Penguins as Predators downed in Stanley Cup

Two late goals from Jake Guentzel and Nick Bonino clinched a dramatic victory for Pittsburgh in front of their home fans after Nashville had fought back from 3-0 down to level in the third period.

The win gives the reigning Stanley Cup champions precious momentum as they head into Game 2 on Thursday, also in Pittsburgh.

But the Penguins rode their luck in the first period and were helped by some favorable calls while roaring into a 3-0 lead to leave Nashville stunned.

Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring with a long-range effort but the Penguins were fortunate not to be penalised for what looked like an elbow by Sidney Crosby on Mattias Ekholm in the buildup.

Conor Sheary then tapped into an empty net after a sublime pass from Chris Kunitz to make it 2-0 as the Predators struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Bonino made it 3-0, powering down the right flank and sending the puck skidding low into the center where it cannoned into the net off the covering Ekholm. 

The early part of the second period was held up by a bizarre delay when a Predators fan hurled a dead catfish onto the ice, part of a long-standing tradition that has endured despite attempts by authorities to prevent it. 

Yet the incident was to prove the catalyst for a Nashville rally which began with Ryan Ellis's strike from distance. 

The momentum carried over into the third period with the Predators in control once again after a second period that saw them restrict the Pens to zero shots on goal.

This time they made the dominance count when Colton Sissons bundled in from close range to make it 3-2 before Frederick Gaudreau leveled. 

But just when it looked like Nashville were on the verge of an improbable comeback, a moment of brilliance from Guentzel swung the game back in the Penguins' favor, the 22-year-old lashing in to beat Pekka Rinne and make it 4-3. 

With time running out, Bonino slid the puck into an empty net to complete the scoring. DM