NOTE: I'm writing this is hurray because I'm traveling, but I had to get a few thoughts down while I had a chance.

The San Jose Sharks face their own mortality tomorrow night in a do-or-die game 5 in front of a thirsty Pittsburgh crowd.

Feels really weird now that the Sharks incredible run could be over in 24 hours.

Reminds up how quickly the mighty do fall.

The Sharks came into the Cup Final as a high-flying offensive force. Four games later they are a shell of the team that willed itself to the Western Conference title.

I expected the series to be close. Like 6 or 7 game close. It doesn't appear like that's going to happen. I've been thinking long and hard about the first four games.

How can a Sharks team that look so good, so confident and so focused on winning its first Stanley Cup become this unraveled...this quickly?

Then it hit me.

The Kings, Preds and Blues all had varying degrees of strengths and weaknesses. When San Jose was able to find a crack in the armor...they pounced and exploited it. The Kings had an extensive playoff and Cup pedigree, but lacked the horses to keep pace with San Jose. The Preds had the speed (which gave SJ fits), but lacked the depth to finish the job. St. Louis had the depth and speed, but not the goaltending.

Pittsburgh has it all. Championship pedigree, depth, speed and goaltending. The Sharks can't find a crack because there are none. Pittsburgh does a little of everything and they do it well. It's a recipe for disaster for the Sharks and it's manifested itself in the form of a 1-3, that could have easily been a sweep.

Down 3-1 to a "better" Pittsburgh Penguins, what is it going to take to get the series back to San Jose for game 6? At this point I'm not sure it even matters.


***

Murray Matters

The Penguins and rookie goalie Matt Murray have had an answer for everything San Jose has thrown at them.

Murray has been the catalyst for Pittsburgh's dominance. The 22-year-old has an almost Jedi-like presence between the pipes. Stop every puck he will. Frustrate the Sharks he is. (Use a Yoda voice. Makes more sense.)

He's making incredible save after incredible save. I hate to sound so generic, but I can't think of any other way to put it. He's making the type of saves that forcefully knock the wind out the Sharks attack. Like a good hard gut punch...each and every time.

I mean Pittsburgh is naming a flipping street after him. That's how great he's been.

I don't see a way the Sharks turn this series around with one only win separating Murray and the Penguins from a date with Lord Stanley.

***
What now?

The series is not over yet. So how can the Sharks make the most of the little time they have left in this series?

- Score first.

The Penguins have flexed their might from game 1 on. If the Sharks can score first in game 5, maybe, just maybe they can build off of that. They won't win on the road unless they strike first. They need to make the Pens play from behind, something have yet to experience in regulation time.

- Figure out how to get Joe Pavelski going.

The captain has been the Sharks best player throughout the playoffs. But in the Final he has been virtually invisible. I have to think he's nursing an injury (hand?) because he's playing timid. He has zero confidence and at times appears to be having trouble even holding a stick. It's hard to say this but he's hurting more than he's helping.

- Stop turning the puck over.

The Pens have ridiculous speed. Enough with the blind drop passes. When Pittsburgh gets skating they are deadly. Don't just hand them open ice.

- SHOOOOOOOOT!

The power play has been quiet. It looks like San Jose is looking for the perfect play. Too much passing. Just shoot! good things will happen. (Note: Could be a side-effect of a potential Pavelski injury. He can't grip the stick and in turn can't deflect the puck like he normally does.)

- Leave it all on the ice. There is no tomorrow. Play like it.

***

Parting shot....

- No Pittsburgh based franchise has won a championship in front of the home fans since 1960. That 56 years drought could end tomorrow night. :(

- According to NHL public relations.... Since 1939, the team that takes a 3-1 series lead wins the series 96.9% of the time (31 of 32 times). The one team to overcome such a deficit? The 1942 Leafs.

So you're saying there's a chance!

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