Patric Hornqvist fired Pittsburgh into the lead with 1:35 left in the final period to silence a raucous home crowd in Nashville who had roared on their team.

Hornqvist’s killer blow — which deflected off Pekka Rinne — left Nashville exposed as they chased the game for an equaliser.

With the Predators goal empty, it was left to Carl Hagelin to score the second with a breakaway to trigger wild celebrations on the Penguins bench.

The Penguins are the first team to defend the Stanley Cup since the Detroit Red Wings achieved the feat in 1998.

Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby was named the MVP of the series. DM