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.

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