After a pretty strong (or at least even) first period, the San Jose Sharks are faltering.
The bright side might be that the margin isn’t THAT steep, at least as of this writing. The Pittsburgh Penguins fattened their lead, yet it’s still a reasonable mountain to climb at 2-0.
That’s not bad considering San Jose’s second-period lull:
Even so, the Sharks need to find an answer for the Penguins, as Phil Kessel continues his great play and Evgeni Malkin already has two points in Game 4.
Marvel at that combination as Kessel assisted on this Malkin tally, which stands as Pittsburgh’s first power-play goal of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final (see video above).
Career playoff goals, @penguins history:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 7, 2016
Lemieux: 76
Jagr: 65
Crosby: 49
Malkin: 47
Stevens: 46#StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/bcVYs7gqA4
Such displays are already heating up Kessel-for-Conn-Smythe talk.
Kessel for Conn Smythe?
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) June 7, 2016
Imagine how unhappy Kessel’s loudest critics must feel right now ...
Update: The game remains 2-0 heading into the third period. The Sharks couldn’t convert on a key power play chance after Brent Burns drew a penalty:
Looks like #SJSharks will get just one SOG on that power play -- 12 saves for Murray so far
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) June 7, 2016
San Jose needs at least two goals in the third period or they’ll stare down a 3-1 deficit in the series. Buckle up.