Monday, June 6, 2016

Back into the Shark Tank

By: MF,

The Pittsburgh Penguins are back at it in San Jose as they take on the Sharks in Game Four. The Penguins dropped Game Three in overtime, but still hold a series lead 2-1 over the Sharks.

It’s no secret that the ice conditions have been less than desirable, however, it can be expected when hockey is still being played in June. This doesn’t excuse their loss in Game Three. Head Coach Mike Sullivan stated that the Penguins need to simplify their game if they want to get a win tonight. The Penguins need to no look for the extra pass and put the puck on net every chance they get. They missed some good opportunities that would have given them the win.

On defense, the Penguins need to play smart and help Matt Murray out. After a loss, Murray has a 4-0 record, 1.94 goals against average, .930 save percentage, and has stopped 106 of 114 shots. Look for him to bounce right back in this game. Two guys that have stepped up on defense, since losing Trevor Daley are Ben Lovejoy and Olli Maatta.

Now let’s get into the numbers, the Penguins are 4-1 following a loss this year in the postseason. Nick Bonino leads the Penguins with 14 blocked shots in the Cup Final. This spring, the team has scored eight goals in the final minute of the period. The Penguins have to come out with speed, get to the basics, and get shots on net. Lets Go Pens!

The Pens lineup is as follows:

Forwards 
Sheary-Crosby-Hornqvist
Kunitz-Malkin-Rust
Hagelin-Bonino-Kessel
Kuhnhackl-Cullen-Fehr

Defense
Dumoulin-Letang
Maatta-Lovejoy
Cole-Schultz

Murray in the net!

Play by Play
PENS 3 Sharks 1

3rd Period
0:00 - THE PENS GET THE 3-1 WIN AGAINST THE SHARKS! NOW THEY HAVE A 3-1 SERIES LEAD AND COULD WIN THE STANLEY CUP IN PITTSBURGH! THEY NEED TO STAY FOCUSED AND KEEP TO THEIR GAME! WE WANT THE CUP! 

1:39 - Sharks have an empty net.

2:02 - FEHR SCORES! The Pens battle at the blue line to force the puck and put it up to Hagelin! He finds Fehr flying down center all alone! Fehr fires one past the blocker of Jones! 3-1 Pens

2:17 - Cullen and Crosby get a rush. Cullen holds to pull it around a sliding Shark, but Jones shallows it up.

2:52 - Sharks get offensive zone pressure going and Hagelin ends up icing the puck.

5:20 - One can expect the Sharks to pressure even more with the clock becoming their enemy. The Pens cannot allow them to have anymore chances.

6:32 - Pens making sure to keep to their quick changes and keeping fresh players on the ice as time whines down.

8:06 - Sharks with attack mode engaged and the Pens are just defending. They need to get into attacking or things will end up being tied.

11:53 - Karlsson scores! A shot from the blue line is blocked and bounces to the slot area. Karlsson is there to pick it up and blow a shot past Murray. 2-1 Pens

14:05 - Sharks with offensive push and Murray comes up big. Crosby with great work down low to get the puck out and goes up ice.

15:01 - Murray commits highway robbery with his glove as Marleau gets in all alone. Murray has none of that and Lovejoy clears the rebound.

16:21 - Schultz rifles one that bounces off the back boards to the front of the net. Kunitz and Rust get whacks in, but Jones with the saves.

18:20 - Sharks crash the net as the puck bounces in front. Murray with the save and the Pens clear.

20:00 - The third period is underway! The Pens need to come out ready to fight a desperate Sharks team and make sure to pressure them into making mistakes! Lets Go Pens!


2nd Period
0:00 - Second period ends and the Pens extend their lead to 2-0 over the Sharks!

0:27 - Solid penalty kill for the Pens. They took all the fire out of that power play. Unreal effort.

2:27 - Now Rust with sit for hooking and the Sharks power play comes onto the ice.

3:45 - Have to give it to the blue line for holding down the fort, along with Murray to keep the Sharks at bay.

4:27 - Sharks are bringing as they look to get one before the period ends. They are hungry for one right now.

5:48 - Sharks ring a shot off the crossbar.

6:52 - Letang with a huge block on a point blank shot. Great defensive work by Letang.

8:12 - Maatta with a fast and clean zone exit. The Pens defense doing a great job of that tonight.

11:05 - Fourth line for the Pens goes to work to retrieve the puck behind Jones' net. Solid effort.

13:24 - Malkin has been flying during this game and getting rewarded for his effort.

15:20 - Ice surface seems to be better. Not many bouncing pucks like in Game 3.

17:20 - MALKIN SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY! Crosby wins the faceoff back to Letang! Letang passes back and forth with Kessel at the half boards! Kessel goes in and makes a shot/pass to Malkin at the side of the net! Malkin directs the puck behind Jones! 2-0 Pens

17:32 - Another power play chance for the Pens as Karlsson is found guilty of hooking.

20:00 - Time for the second period! The Pens need to come out with shooters mentality and pressure! Lets Go Pens!


1st Period
0:00 - Second period horn sounds and the Pens have the 1-0 lead over the Sharks!

1:03 - Sharks ice the puck.

1:17 - Maatta is also doing well with Lovejoy. Those two stepping up their game.

3:00 - Letang was awesome on that kill. Great blocks and clears with no trouble.

3:15 - Successful penalty kill for the Pens and Lovejoy is set free.

5:15 - Lovejoy takes a trip to the box for holding the stick (of a Shark) and the Pens have a huge penalty kill ahead of them.

5:58 - Murray jumps out to make a save on Burn's rebound shot in front.

6:22 - Pens power play comes to an end. They were buzzing on that chance and had a shooters mentality. Malkin almost made it 2-0, he is flying.

8:22 - Power play opportunity for the Pens as Vlasic will take a seat for interference.

8:37 - The first line for the Pens gets three chances on net. Defense also jumping up into plays.

9:12 - Cole's goal was his first career playoff goal.

11:25 - Pavelski puts a shot on net and Murray gloves it up with traffic in front. Solid glove save.

12:24 - COLE SCORES! Malkin finds Kessel breaking up the ice! Kessel crosses to the right wing and draws four Sharks! Kessel shoots and Jones kicks it out right to an open Cole! Cole snaps it past the blocker of Jones! 1-0 Pens

13:13 - Dumoulin fires a hard wrister that rings off the crossbar! Jones with some aggressive goaltending.

16:05 - Thronton leads a 2-on-1 chance and fires a shot off. Murray kicks the puck to the corner.

18:09 - Fast start for both teams. A lot of back and forth play.

20:00 - Puck drop for Game 4! The Pens need to limit the passes and put more shots on net! Lets Go Pens! 

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