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Moments into game 1 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final it was obvious the Pittsburgh Penguins were prepared to beat the San Jose Sharks at their own game.

In a game that made me sick...happy...and then sick again, ex Anaheim Duck, Nick Bonino scored late in the third period to give the Penguins a 3-2 win against the Sharks in a wild and entertaining game 1 at Consol Energy Center.

For three rounds the Sharks have been the team using its speed to tear apart opposing defenses. On Monday night, the tables were turned upside down. During the first 20 minutes of the game, Pittsburgh skated circles around a sluggish and perhaps shell-shocked San Jose Sharks team. Circles, like really big circles. Like crop-circle big circles.

I, myself, stared wide-eyed and stunned at what was transpiring on TV screen. Before my couch cushions were warm, the game was 2-0 and it wasn't really that close. It should have been 3, 4 and maybe even 5-0. Martin Jones was the only Sharks who came ready to play.

Pittsburgh, led by captain Sidney Crosby, overwhelmed the Sharks D and by the end of the first period shots were 15-4 in favor of the Penguins.

Was it nerves? Was it Stanley Cup jitters? Or was it simply that the Penguins are that good?

The first period left a bad taste in my mouth and was all the proof I needed that these Penguins are going to be a very tough out. The Eastern Conference Champs possess the intestinal fortitude and guile of the Preds and Blues, but with the added element of team speed throughout the entire lineup.

That said....

San Jose came out in the second period and played Sharks hockey. They battled down low, worked the puck in the offensive zone and got pucks on net from the point.

And thanks to a power play goal from Tomas Hertl and a great effort from Patrick Marleau the Sharks were able to pull even in the middle frame.

Heading into the third period I liked San Jose's chances, given their ability to put teams away in the third period in the playoffs. Instead, it was the Penguins and Nick Bonino that put San Jose away.

Brent Burns added 2 assists and Martin Jones made 38 saves in the loss.

The Penguins lead the series 1-0 with game 2 back at the Consol Energy Center on Wednesday night.

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Hot Takeaways from Game 1

- The Penguins and Sharks each lost game 1 in the Conference Finals and both managed to win the series. No need to panic just yet.

- Martin Jones made 38 saves and several of them were SPECTACULAR. I believe the Sharks maintain their goaltending advantage in this series.

- The Sharks haven't lost back-to-back games since games 3 and 4 in the Nashville series.

- San Jose will have a big response in game 2. You just can't be down on this group. The Sharks find ways to respond positively to any adversity they've faced in these playoffs. why should this be any different?

- The Pens are the first Eastern Conference team to win Game 1 of the Cup Final since Carolina in 2006.

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Blues Blogger, Jason Millen lived up to his word and paid off his bet from the last series.

And my bet is settled. Donation made to http://www.hydroassoc.org/ in honor of the Sharks victory and Steve. Hope we get to make another wager next year.

Thanks Jason!

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Thanks for reading,
Steve
Follow me on Twitter: @Faultlinehockey