Month: May 2016

Sharks @ Penguins Stanley Cup Final Game 1 160530

And it begins.

SCF series preview

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.

Sharks – Penguins Stanley Cup Final series preview

25th Franchise anniversary.  Still making history, with first Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

Pittsburgh Penguins Twitter list

Former Sharks on Penguins: Nick Bonino (former prospect); Mike Sullivan, Head Coach; Bill Guerin, Assistant General Manager; Jay Leach, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Associate Coach; Bob Errey, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh Color Analyst

Other Pittsburgh connections:  1997 draftees Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau; 2012 draftees Tomas Hertl and Chris Tierney; former Penguins Paul Martin, Nick Spaling

To advance this far in the playoffs, you have to be good offensively and defensively.  Sharks are leading in goals for, goals against, power play %, shots against.  Sharks have the top three scorers in the playoffs (Pavelski, Couture, Burns).

Sharks forwards average a year and a half older, more than 11 pounds heavier, and 3/4″ taller than the Pittsburgh forwards.  Sharks defense are about an inch taller, more than ten pounds heavier and about 18 months older than their Penguins counterparts.   The Sharks should be able to play a more physical game, but do have speed that the Penguins might not expect.

One story line is the nine years between Finals appearances for the Penguins vs the first time for the Sharks.  And the Sharks ease/experience of travel will tip the balance as we advance through the series.

And while the NHL Sharks and Penguins go at it, their ECHL affiliates, Allen and Wheeling, are fighting it out for the Kelly Cup, a first in the ECHL.

How I think the finals might go: Early on, the Sharks will be emphasizing defense as they test out the Penguins physically, then they’ll push offensively.  Sharks in 6.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 6 160525 postgame

Wow.  Sharks win!!! They’re going to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in the 25th year of existence.

Game 6 pregame news/notes

Pavelski opened up the scoring in the first on a wrap around.  Ward scored goals in the 2nd and 3rd (including series winning goal) — that third period goal was the last nail in the coffin of the Blues per post game comments from Hitchcock.  Donskoi and Couture also scored.  Tarasenko managed two goals – his first in the series – but it was too little, too late.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 6 160525

It’s time to #SilenceTheBlues for this season.  Game 6.

Game 5 postgame news/notes

For the Blues, Wednesday night, it’s win or go home. Sharks lead the series 3-2, and a win would advance them to their first Stanley Cup Finals (and win the Clarence S Campbell Bowl as Western Conference champions). It’s the Sharks 100th game this season (regular and post).

The Blues have announced that Elliott will be back in net for game 6.

Sharks need to show their killer instinct and take the Blues out.  Just worry about this game.  (Add all the cliches needed.)

It’s time to #SilenceTheBlues for this season.  Game 6.

Sharks @ Blues Western Conference Final Game 5 160523 postgame

Sharks are now the furthest they have ever been in the postseason, with their 11th win.  (Fifth on the road.)  One more win to advance to the fourth round, and it’ll be hardest yet with the Blues facing elimination.

Game 5 pregame news/notes

The Sharks opened the scoring, the Blues took the lead. The Sharks tied it up and the Blues took the lead again. But then the Sharks poured on the goals, with four unanswered to clinch the win.  The Sharks were 2-3 in power play opportunities and kept the Blues to one goal in three man advantage opportunities.

Got a bit chippy with a couple of fights, with some extra minors handed out.  But the Sharks were, for the most part, playing hard and ignoring the extracurriculars.

Pavelski (2 goals including GWG, 1 assist tonight) and Couture (1 assist tonight) tying league lead for points, etc.  Seem to be setting a new record every game.  Ward had two goals as well.

Jones bounced back from his last bad (half) game, making the saves when he needed to.

Sharks have kept Tarasenko scoreless through the series.

Next up: the Clarence S Campbell Bowl will be in the house Wednesday night.  Game 6 at the Tank.

Sharks @ Blues Western Conference Final Game 5 160523

Series tied 2-2.  Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their team.

Game 4 postgame notes

This post season, the Sharks have bounced back after a horrendous game (i.e., PDSF game 4->5; PDF game 6->7), so the Sharks have it in them to make game 5 a win.  The only Sharks forward who did not have a shot on goal last game was Marleau.

About 80% of teams who win game 5 go on to win series.  Two more wins needed to clinch series.

Backes and Fabri are said to be “game time decisions”; neither participated in morning skate, but sounds like they may go.

Guessing this will be a close game.  But Sharks on top.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 4 160521 postgame

Good last 20 minutes of play, but the first 40 minutes doom Sharks.  Series tied 2-2.

Pregame news/links

Jones gave up 4 before being pulled; Reimer got some ice time in relief (and gave up a goal).  The Sharks vaunted power play let in a SHG and failed to get any pucks past Allen.

The Sharks were down 0-4 after forty minutes and did all their scoring in the last period.  3-6 with the ENG.

The Blues captain Backes played 5:34 in the first and did not play for the rest of the game. In postgame interviews, Hitchcock was coy about why he didn’t play and what his availability for game 5 will be.

But one bad game does not a series make.  Time to put it behind you and focus on the game to be played “today”.

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 4 160521

Will the Blues make a series of it by winning Saturday, or will the Sharks take a stranglehold?

Game 3 postgame thoughts

The Blues seem unable to match up against the Sharks.  Coach Hitchcock has made line changes, changed personnel.  Now he’ll try a different goalie.

Special guests for game 4

And if you want to watch the first episode (29 minutes, with all of the 4-letter words kept in) of the All Access Quest for the Cup, following the four remaining teams…

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 3 160519 postgame

Sharks demolish the Blues, 3-0. Now lead the series 2-1.

tGame 3 pregame news/notes

Nearly 24 hours later and it’s still hard to sit down and write about the game. It’s like a kid in a candy store and my attention is being pulled in 360 degrees with fun/good things to look at and where does one settle?

So awesome!  Loved the nod to Jo Pawvelski as DJ!

And then there was the game.

https://twitter.com/wilw/status/733496449611223040

The first half of period one were a bit tentative.  But then the Sharks just took over.  Jones stoned the Blues’ shooters, and the Sharks offense got past Elliot.

Jones tying Nabby for ten wins in the post season, and two shutouts.  First Sharks goalie to have back-to-back shutouts.  And the first time the Sharks have ever lead in a Western Conference Final series.

Now on to game 4!

Sharks vs Blues Western Conference Final Game 3 160519

The Sharks-Blues series is tied 1-1.  Sharks will try to take the lead at home.

Game 2 postgame thoughts

The venue changes for two games, now to California.

Some pundits feel the Sharks have outplayed the Blues this series.  One key has been the power play.

There is concern for Thornton after taking a slash to the wrist in the third period of game 2, but little information is available; he did participate in morning skate and plans to play.  No change on Nieto’s availability for game 3 (upper body), but should be available later in series.

Blues are making some lineup changes, but Hitchcock being vague.

Sharks should come out hard, dominate the game and take the 2-1 lead.

Let’s Go Sharks! #SilenceTheBlues