The NHL rookie record for goals scored in the postseason has stood since 1981, when Dino Ciccarelli scored 14 for the Minnesota North Stars. Guentzel moved past Jeremy Roenick (11 with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1990) and Brad Marchand (11, Boston Bruins in 2011) on Wednesday and surpassed Roenick's record of most goals by a United States-born rookie in the postseason.
"It's crazy," Guentzel said. "You can't even put it into words what it feels like."
His teammates, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and his father found the words for him. Guentzel found the smallest of openings when he put the puck in under the arm of Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne at 16:36 of the first period to make it 1-1. His second goal, the game-winner, came 10 seconds into the third.
Guentzel's second goal was one second shy of the fastest to begin any period in Stanley Cup Final history. Montreal Canadiens forward Brian Skrudland scored nine seconds into overtime in Game 2 against the Calgary Flames in 1986.
"He's amazing," Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin said. "Some games he plays quiet, you don't see him but at the right time, he is here. He's a great shooter guy. He's very smart. He gets great chances to score. He has a small chance, he scores."
Guentzel went eight games without scoring before the Cup Final. He was worried about being scratched for Game 1.
Less than a week later, Guentzel has entered the conversation for the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player of the playoffs.
Game 3 will be played at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVA Sports).
"It's just magical. I don't know what you say," Mike Guentzel said. "We were hoping Jake would play 5-10 games this year. He got called up and he scored his first shift. He scored his first NHL playoff game. He scores his first Stanley Cup Final game.