Generally speaking, the strategic talk heading into Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final focused on the San Jose Sharks’ deeper defense vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins’ blinding speed.
It’s very early, but so far: advantage Penguins.
Pittsburgh came roaring out of the gate in front of a boisterous Consol Energy Center crowd, but it took them a while to break through.
Once the Penguins did, they raced ahead to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals just 1:02 apart.
First, Bryan Rust kept his red-hot streak going with the 1-0 tally.
Rust has 6-3—9 in 18 playoff games, 1 goal more than his career total in regular-season (5-8—13, 55 GP). #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/9lfCdKHBCP
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 31, 2016
Moments later, Sidney Crosby made a beautiful pass to Conor Sheary to put the Penguins up two.
There were a few other moments in which the Sharks looked like they were really struggling with the Penguins’ speed, but Martin Jones made some saves that could be big if San Jose can gather its wits.
The #SJSharks are totally overwhelmed at this point. Need to get to the intermission and regroup.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 31, 2016
Sharks went 8:03 without a shot there ...
— Tim Panaccio (@tpanotchRET) May 31, 2016
Dominating first period comes to a close with Pens leading 2-0 and out-shooting San Jose 15-4. Big-time regroup for Sharks needed.
— Scott Burnside (@OvertimeScottB) May 31, 2016
#SJSharks will be looking for this in their first-intermission dressing room pic.twitter.com/qyd3eDsBsK
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) May 31, 2016