We have reached the mountaintop. The Stanley Cup Final. Let’s take a look at what we can expect from the greatest championship series in the world.
SCF: (Western Conference) San Jose Sharks vs (Eastern Conference) Pittsburgh Penguins
Every now and then in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you get a nice Cinderella story, or a team that was average or underwhelming in the regular season takes off and lights up April all the way into June. The 2012 Los Angeles Kings come to mind. It’s weird to think of that team as a “Cinderella” but in a way they kind of were, barely making the postseason as an 8 seed in an uber-competitive Western Conference.
Neither one of these teams fits that mold. Not really, anyway.
And in a way, that’s what you should hope for. The Stanley Cup Final really should be for the two best teams in the league. This regular season, two of the most elite powerhouses in the NHL were the Penguins and the Sharks. They have their own narratives that they have overcome, but it is impossible to argue that these two teams are undeserving.
How they got here: The San Jose Sharks made the playoffs as the third seed in the Pacific Division. They bounced their Californian rival and personal demon Los Angeles Kings in the first round in just five games. The team that was tops in the NHL in road wins came out on top in what was ironically a home-dominated series against the Nashville Predators. A resilient, never-say-die Preds team took the Sharks to Game 7 but were dead on arrival for the series finale.
In the Western Conference Final, they faced another team with a frustrating playoff history, the St. Louis Blues. With the series tied 2-2, the Sharks invaded the Scottrade Center and captured a crucial victory in what was a more heart-pounding than the 6-3 score would indicate.
Then came Game 6. The Sharks came home to one of the most insane crowds I have ever seen, as a riled up SAP Center was hungry to see their team make their first ever Stanley Cup Final. Even Metallica’s James Hetfield was on hand to fire up the crowd and open the locker room doors per tradition.
Look at that face. That is terrifyingly awesome.
The Sharks took Game 6 5-2. They have made it to the final round for the first time in franchise history. It is the first rodeo for Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, too.
The Pittsburgh Penguins thought they caught a break when Ben Bishop went down with a knee injury early in the Eastern Conference Final. They could not have predicted Andrei Vasilevskiy posting a .925 save percentage and standing on his head the majority of the series.
Pittsburgh had a 2-1 series lead after three games and looked to be cruising. Anton Stralman was rusty for Tampa. Steven Stamkos was still unplayable. Sidney Crosby had his first playoff overtime goal officially under his belt.
But the tides turned in Game 4. Tampa came out flying and won 4-3. Nikita Kucherov was his usual clutch self in Game 5, with Tyler Johnson’s posterior netting an overtime winner. The Bolts were heading back home with a 3-2 series lead.
The Pens managed to come away with a win in Game 6. After leaping out to a commanding 3-0 lead, the Bolts came within one goal late in the third. But as Tampa got more aggressive, it opened up a seam for Bryan Rust to pot a breakaway goal and ice the game.
If Rust thought he was a saving grace in Game 6, then he ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
Rust, who had just four goals in 41 games in the regular season, scored playoff goals four and five in Game 7 as the Penguins secured a 2-1 victory and a berth in the Stanley Cup Final. Rust came dangerously close to a hat trick on numerous occasions. It was one of the most confident performances of his young career.
Tale of the tape: San Jose and Pittsburgh have met twice this season, but it is hard to put any stock in those games. They played each other on November 21st and December 1st. The Penguins still had Mike Johnston patrolling the benches instead of Mike Sullivan. Matt Murray was not even on the roster, as Marc-Andre Fleury was the starter and Jeff Zatkoff was the backup. Carl Hagelin was in Anaheim. Tom Kuhnhackl and Bryan Rust were with Murray in Willes-Barre/Scranton.
The Sharks had not gone on their incredible winning streak that began with 2016. Patrick Marleau had just listed his three teams that he would accept a trade to knowing full well the three teams he picked would not trade for him for various reasons (LAK, ANA, NYR).
These were two completely different teams that had not yet hit their stride. But for those curious, the road team won both games. San Jose bested Pittsburgh 3-1, then were beaten 5-1 in the Shark Tank. Keep in mind, the Sharks got off to an abysmal start at home and wound up with a losing record at home because of it.
Why the Sharks will win: Lethal powerplay.
The San Jose Sharks were 4-for-21 on the man advantage against one of the strongest penalty killing teams in the league. Their penalty killing unit allowed four powerplay goals in 17 attempts. The special teams battle is going to be a very tough front. Pittsburgh came in fifth in penalty killing in the regular season, less than a full percent behind the Eastern Conference leading Washington Capitals. Pittsburgh’s powerplay was merely 16th in the league, though it has looked very strong of late. San Jose needs to play to its strength. They will need a huge series out of both Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Both teams are hot on the man advantage, but the Sharks are probably the one unit that can go toe-to-toe and shot-for-shot against the Pens and still come out on top.
San Jose’s X-Factor: Patrick Marleau.
Patrick Marleau has been linked with Joe Thornton’s all postseason because this is his first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since he first entered the league in 1997-1998. Just as recently as November, he was asked to list three teams he would accept a trade to. He and Joe Thornton had both been stripped of their captaincy letters, and the organization mulled a major overhaul this past offseason. They stuck with their guns, and it has paid huge dividends. With all the focus on guys like Pavelski, Thornton and Couture, Marleau could be a quiet hero for the Sharks. Marleau skates on the second line with Couture and Joonas Donskoi. He has 12 points in 18 games this postseason. His two assists in Game 6 against the Blues were huge. But he could play an even bigger role this series.
Marleau’s 48 points this season marked his lowest total in a full season since 2007-2008. At 36 years of age, a downturn in production was expected. But 25 goals is nothing to sneeze at. The dude still has a lightning quick first step and tremendous vision of the ice. Marleau has four multi-point games this postseason. The Sharks could use a few more to spark their offense.
Why the Penguins will win: Noted Playoff Choker Sidney Crosby.
Permit me to be blunt: the flak that Sidney Crosby takes is ridiculous. People will criticize his heart, his leadership, his “clutchness.” Let’s address this one at a time, shall we? 1) You don’t become the best player in the world for a decade running now and quite literally the face of the NHL by lacking heart. Does he yap at the refs? Sure, but everyone does. He just has that “baby” reputation, which is probably warranted but if that is really the biggest complaint you have, you don’t have much. Players like Sidney Crosby come around once a generation because of his skill and unbelievable work ethic.
2) If you have not had a chance to see “All Access: Quest for the Stanley Cup” yet on ShoTime, I definitely recommend it. Crosby is always talking, always working to set up the next play and getting his unit on the same page. He is one of the smartest players in the league. Oh, and he captained this team to two Finals and one Cup as a 20-year old. Point production does not equal leadership.
3) Sidney Crosby has 133 playoff points in 118 playoff games. He shoots 13.1%, just off his career mark of 14.4%. Nine of his 15 points this postseason have come on the man advantage. He has three game-winning goals. Stop me when I get to the “unclutch” stats.
Do people out there get how Old Media will burst into flames if Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel win a Stanley Cup together? Phil “No Heart” Kessel and his 39 points in 40 career playoff games, 18 this postseason who got left off the US World Cup team for no damn good reason? The Pens have a lot of narrative bustin’ to do. And they know it.
Pittsburgh’s X-Factor: Matt Murray.
Matt Murray lost his starting job for a hot second during the Eastern Conference Final. After getting pulled
in Game 4, the Pens turned to Fleury in Game 5. It did not go well. They went back to Murray for Games 6 and 7 and won. So, my guess is that’s the last we will see of Marc-Andre Fleury this year. Matt Murray is truly on the cusp of Cam Ward-ing his way to the Cup. Murray’s numbers did dip a bit last round, mostly because of the elite competition. He’s still running a 2.21 goals-against average and .924 save percentage.
This series is Matt Murray’s to control. His opponent, Martin Jones, has just as much playoff experience as he does. There is no reason not to have total confidence in #30.
The Finals will feature the finest puck movement and the quickest skaters the league has to offer. This will be an amazing series. And, with the teal and the yellow, it will also be one of the most neon series the playoffs have seen in quite some time.
So, which media whipping boys will be hoisting the Cup in June? Thornton and Marleau? Kessel, Crosby and Malkin? Is it too late for Gary Bettman to throw the Blackhawks on the ice? Yes? Thank god.
Prediction: Sharks in 7.
