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The San Jose Sharks face an uphill battle after falling into an 0-2 hole against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final.
Conor Sheary scored 2:35 into overtime for a 2-1 win and a commanding 2-0 series lead for Pittsburgh. Sheary beat Martin Jones high on the glove side on a set play off of an offensive zone face-off. The goal sent the Consol Energy Center into a frenzy and the Sharks home in search of answers.
For the second consecutive game, an attempted Sharks comeback was thwarted by a crushing Pens goal. In game 1, Nick Bonino scored with 2:33 remaining in the third period and in game 2, Sheary scored 2:35 into the first overtime.
I'm not sure what's worse, losing on a late goal or on an early OT goal. Regardless, the Sharks find themselves in unfamiliar waters. As I mentioned above, San Jose trails a series by two games for the first time. They were down 1-0 to St. Louis before winning two straight to wrestle the series lead back. This doesn't feel anything like that though.
The Penguins have been the better team for long stretches of this series. Quite frankly, the Sharks were fortunate the games were as close as they were.
So what now?
The series shifts back to The Tank where the Sharks have played some incredibly inspired hockey. They have won 7 of 9 on home ice, including some very lopsided wins that have altered the tide of a series. They must have a game like that in game 3.
How confident are you that they can do that?
I fully expect the home crowd to energize and inject new life into the Sharks. It's very hard to doubt San Jose. I'm not giving up yet and sounds like they aren't either. The players remain positive and feel like the series could very easily be 2-0 the other way. (Not sure what series they are watching) I kid, I kid....they have answered the bell so often during this run that its easy to see them doing it again.
If its going to happen it needs to start in the first 5 minutes of game 3. If Pittsburgh gets the jump on San Jose and Heaven forbid...score the first goal, this could be a short series.
San Jose must apply the same insane amount of pressure the Pens did in their own building. Pittsburgh is playing a very disciplined game, which eliminates the Sharks potent power play. If San Jose can turn up the heat enough, they should be able to force Pittsburgh into taking a penalty or two. That will make or break this series. The power play has been the Sharks bread and butter and it may be the one thing that can save their Cup hopes.
Also, with two days between games the Sharks should try and avoid the mudslinging. We all know, understand and fully expect Sidney Crosby to get the super star treatment. It's best not to make more of it than it is. (Looking at you Logan.) It comes across as whiny and that's not what this team has been about.
A 2-0 hole is not insurmountable, but a 3-0 hole could be and probably should be. (unless you're the Kings in 2014. Sorry couldn't resist.)
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Hot Takeaways....
- Pittsburgh is out shooting the Sharks 71-48 through the first two games. I can't recall anytime during the season in which the Sharks have been this far on the wrong side of the shot chart.
- Connor Sheary is the youngest player to score an overtime goal in the Cup Final in the last 30 years.
- In case you were wondering....San Jose is now 20-20 all-time in playoff overtime games.
- Shooting high on Martin Jones is like Kryptonite to Superman and the Pens are exploiting that weakness like Lex Luther.
- Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton have combined for ZERO points through two games and are a combined minus-2.
- Logan Couture has an assist in game 1 and 2. Couture has 26 points (8g 18a) in the playoffs.
- The Sharks have one win the playoffs when trailing after two periods.
- Patrick Marleau leads all skaters with 4 career overtime goals. Nick Bonino and Joe Pavelski are tied for second with 3 apiece.
- San Jose leads the NHL with 18 power play goals, BUT in their 8 playoff losses the Sharks are 3 for 26. That number includes games of 0/5, 0/3, 0/4 and 0/5.
***s Thanks for reading, Steve Follow me on Twitter: @Faultlinehockey