<Ul> <Li> ← 2016 </Li> <Li> Stanley Cup Finals </Li> <Li> 2018 → </Li> </Ul> <Li> Stanley Cup Finals </Li> <P> The 2017 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2016--17 season, and the culmination of the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs . The Eastern Conference champion and defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Western Conference champion Nashville Predators, four games to two . Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs for the second consecutive year . The Penguins won the Stanley Cup in their opponent's rink, just like they did the previous four times . </P> <P> During the regular season, the Penguins finished second in the league with 111 points, which gave them home ice advantage in the series . The series began on May 29 and concluded on June 11 . The Penguins made their second consecutive Finals appearance, marking the third time in their history they had done this, following their appearances in 1991--1992 and 2008--2009 . This was the first time since 2009, a rematch between the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings, that any team appeared in consecutive Finals . The Penguins also became the first team since the Red Wings (in 1997 and 1998) to win the Stanley Cup in consecutive years . </P>

Who did the penguins beat in the stanley cup last year