Five reasons why Penguins-Sharks Stanley Cup Final could go seven games
The San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins have played five games, a total of 314 minutes, 53 seconds, in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final and there’s one goal difference between the two teams.
"They’re good. We’re good," San Jose defenseman Brent Burns said. "It’s going to be tight."
The Sharks survived an elimination game Thursday with a 4-2 win in Pittsburgh. Still trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, they have to win at home Sunday (8 p.m., ET, NBC) to force a Game 7.
While the Penguins have often looked dominant in this series, here’s why this series has been close.
Sharks enjoy sharper goaltending: San Jose goalie Martin Jones boasts a .933 save percentage in the series, and he’s the first goalie in the NHL expansion era (since 1967-68) to record multiple 40-plus save wins in a single Stanley Cup Final. Jones has been San Jose’s best player.
Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray owns a .916 save percentage. An average save percentage is .915. Murray has memorable saves in the series, but he has also given up goals he would like to forget, including Joel Ward’s goal that essentially forced overtime in Game 3. Murray wasn’t at his best in the early moments of Game 5 when he gave up three goals on five shots.
Murray has been inconsistent, while Jones has been a savior.
Sharks’ depth underappreciated: The Penguins’ four-line depth was considered their advantage. Seventeen Penguins have scored in the playoffs. Youngsters Bryan Rust and Conor Sheary have had spotlight moments.
But the Sharks also have depth. When San Jose’s top guns couldn’t find the net, Joonas Donskoi scored an overtime winner. Melker Karlsson scored the game-winner in Game 5. Unheralded defenseman Justin Braun had four goals all season, and he has two in this series.
Coaching is a push: San Jose's Pete DeBoer and Pittsburgh's Mike Sullivan are both wringing every ounce of effort from their players.
The similarity between these two teams is that both coaches have a powerful bond with their group.
The Sharks believe in DeBoer as strongly as the Penguins believe in Sullivan. The teams have become more effective because the coaches were able to instill a higher degree of accountability in players. Both teams are committed to executing their game plan.
Penguins miss Daley: The Penguins have looked dangerous offensively, even without defenseman Trevor Daley. He was a valuable puck-mover before he broke his ankle against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the conference finals.
If the Penguins had his offensive flair in their lineup, they might have one or two more goals in the series.
Five-on-five hockey: The Stanley Cup Final doesn’t usually include a parade to the penalty box. With the stakes high, players are more disciplined and referees are inclined to let the players decide the outcome.
There have been 21 power plays in this series as it has mostly been played 5-on-5. It’s challenging to score 5-on-5 in a tight-checking playoff series.
That’s why blowouts don’t happen frequently in a Stanley Cup Final. That’s why this series could go seven games.
"I think every game has been close," Burns said. "Just a bounce here or there. Going forward, it’s going to be the same thing. It’s a matter of trying to work for that balance. It’s been going their way. We’ve been fighting to get back in the games. We’ve done that."
Follow Kevin Allen on Twitter @ByKevinAllen.
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