The Stanley Cup Final starts tonight. It will be the Pittsburgh Penguins hosting the San Jose Sharks. Here is a preview of the series.
The San Jose Sharks have always been a talented team, but they could never get past the Western Conference Finals let alone to the Stanley Cup Final. In the Western Conference Finals the Sharks faced the St. Louis Blues. This series was evenly matched. Both teams could score and had superb goaltending. San Jose survived in six games to advance to their first Stanley Cup Final in their 25-year history.
Waiting for them are the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins had to get through the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning were in the Stanley Cup Final last year and lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. Tampa Bay wanted to get back to the Final, this time winning the whole thing. The Penguins were hoping that didn’t happen. Tampa Bay gave the Penguins a run for their money but Pittsburgh held them off in game seven, 5-2.
This is going to be an excellent matchup. The San Jose Sharks can put the puck in the back of the net with their core of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Pavelski. They also can score with Joel Ward and Logan Couture. Their scoring ability isn’t the only reason they are here.
If it weren’t for their goalie, Martin Jones, they wouldn’t be anywhere near the Stanley Cup Final. He has been unbelievable in net with a record of 12-6 in these playoffs and a goals against average of 2.12. His save percentage is .919.
Pittsburgh counters with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and Patric Hornqvist. These are fast skaters who can shoot from anywhere to score. Those are the main scorers for Pittsburgh but they have four lines who can also score.
The goaltending has been the question mark for them. Matt Murray has answered the call well. He is a rookie but he isn’t playing like one with an 11-4 record and a goals against average of 2.22. His save percentage is impressive at .924. They wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.
In every game the first goal will not decide it. Both teams can come back from a one or two goal deficit. The games might be low scoring, so goalies must stand tall to keep their teams in it. The power play and power play kill will be the difference. Both teams can kill off penalties but the team that can take advantage of those opportunities will win.
The winner will be the San Jose Sharks in six games. They are on a mission to hoist the Stanley Cup in the end. The Final starts tonight at 6 PM Mountain Time from Pittsburgh. Catch all the action of the Stanley Cup Final.
Go Pens! Sharks are a dirty team and their beards are getting out of control!