And it begins.
The first 20 minutes won’t be a good memory. The Sharks came out tentatively (and probably nerves), and let the Penguins dictate play for the most part. They gave up two goals and were outshot 15-4.
After regrouping in the first intermission, the Sharks had a much better period with Hertl (PPG) and Marleau scoring, and outshotting the Penguins 13-8.
The third period was back and forth, with the Sharks doing well to weather the 18 SOGs (to the 9 for the Sharks), but a little out of position and a broken stick gave the Penguins the GWG with about two and a half minutes to play. Marleau also took a hit-to-head minor on Rust; no supplemental discipline will be levied, but Rust is out day-to-day.
Disappointing, but this is not a one game series. Still, there will be some tweaks and many are excited over the speed and play that game 1 showed that might extend through the series.