Martin Jones and the San Jose Sharks are heading back to Las Vegas with the series tied 2-2.  Jones made 34 stops in 4-0 win in front of the frenzied faithful at SAP Center.

It was the sixth career shutout for the San Jose netminder in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and his second this year.

Jones was out of his mind, proving that he too is an elite playoff goalie. Marc-Andre Fleury had been receiving all the praise throughout this Golden Knights' run - and dervedly so. But, Jones was outstanding in game 4, shutting the door time after time and sealing the Knights' fate. He outshined MAF and helped the Sharks square up the best-of-7 series.

Marcus Sorensen, Joonas Donskoi, Joe Pavleksi and Tomas Hertl provided all the offensive fireworks.

San Jose was in control for most of the game, even killing off all five Vegas' power plays. The Sharks seem to have found a Kryptonite to stop ths so-called "super expansion team."

Using their speed, the Sharks backed the Golden Knights defense up rush after rush. They also used their ferocious forecheck to work wonders below the Vegas goal line. San Jose  opened up the ice enough to allow the offenive magic to happen.

We are down to a best-of-3.

- Marcus Sorensen's goal was sheer magic. He carried the puck from behind the net and through the slot and beat Fleury with a wrist shot while flying through the air. The kid has exceeded expectations in these playoffs. He has four goals and his speed and shiftiness has given San Jose another weapon in their arsenal. The entire fourth line has been phenomenal actually.

- Joonas Donskoi had been a bit of a non-factor until last night. The Sharks didn't even seem to skip a beat without him in game 3. Not the case in game 4. His speed and skill gave Vegas fits and his coast-to-coast goal in the waning seconds of the first period was a gut punch to the Knights flimsy armor.

- Joakim Ryan had a heck of a game. He played a steadfast and poised defense. He never seemed to be in over his head and his play allowed Brent Burns to activate more often. I hope we never see Paul Martin again.

- Joe Thornton didn't play. It was all a ruse to reinsert Donskoi into the lineup. Pete Deboer, you devil!

- Since being shutout in game one of the series, the Sharks have a power play goal in three consecutive games and are 10 of 41 (24.4%) in the playoffs.

- Tomas Hertl leads the Sharks with five goals in eight games. He has taken his game to a whole other level in this series. The combination of physicality and offensive grit has been a god send for the Sharks. I see a little Claude Lemieux circa 1995 happening here. I'm not sure the Golden Knights were prepared for "Pepe 2.0."

I have enjoyed this series immensely and I don't want to look too far ahead, but I like the way the Sharks are playing and I can see it continuing on. They are the forgotten team in these playoffs. How long before people stop sleeping on the teal and black?

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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