SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Pittsburgh Penguins ensured there was no repeat of their last performance when they stopped the Sharks in their tracks, with a 3-1 final score in Game 4 to take a commanding lead in the series three games to one.
Ian Cole (28) celebrates his goal with Kris Letang – Photo by Jack Lima
The Penguins started off the scoring at 12:24, when Phil Kessel shot the puck from the left circle, which was blocked and sent in the opposite direction to a waiting Ian Cole. Cole snapped the rebound to the back of the net for his first goal of the playoffs. Evgeni Malkin was credited on the assist as well. Each team had a man-advantage during the period, but neither found the net. The play was even until the first intermission, with shots-on-goal led by San Jose 8-6.
Evgeni Malkin (71) tips a shot past Martin Jones for the Penguins second goal – Photo by Jack Lima
The Penguins scored their second goal early in the second period, on a power play, when Melker Karlsson went into the penalty box for interference. Kessel sent a shot from the circle, through traffic that was tipped in by Malkin at 17:23. Kris Letang also was credited with an assist on the goal. That would be the end of the goal scoring through the second intermission.
Penguins goalie Matthew Murray makes a skate save on a shot from Patrick Marleau (12) – Photo by Jack Lima
Malkin said of his goal shooting during the postseason after the game, “I’m not change my game lot. I mean, I want little bit more play with puck. My goal is like Phil [Kessel] give me empty net. It’s not like great goal, but it’s just go to net, you know, and stay close to net and try play around net. When I have puck, I’m try shoot. It’s simple game tonight for me.”
Roman Polak (46) watches as Ian Cole’s (not pictured) goal eludes Sharks goalie Martin Jones – Photo by Jack Lima
In the third period, Patrick Marleau had a great scoring chance however his shot was blocked by Matt Murray in the net. The solo Sharks goal was scored at 11:53, when a barrage of shots were turned away by Murray, except one, which beat him glove side, off the stick of Melker Karlsson. Chris Tierney and Brenden Dillon were credited with the assists. The goal got the fans back into the game for a while.
Melker Karlsson (68) clears the puck in front of Sharks goalie Martin Jones as Sidney Crosby (87) looks for the rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
There were a number of great scoring chances by the Sharks, but Murray was excellent in the net. It was the same for the Penguins, as Matt Cullen had a breakaway chance, but Brent Burns slid in front of this shot line, so Cullen hesitated, then snapped the shot, which was caught by Martin Jones. But only a few seconds later, Eric Fehr’s shot from the slot beat Jones to put the Pens up 3-1.
Sharks goalie Martin Jones makes a save – Photo by Jack Lima
Despite the Sharks pulling Jones for the extra skater, they could not make anything happen. The final buzzer sounded and the Penguins had secured win number 3.
The Pens are only one game away from the Cup. Netminder Matt Murray commented on starting the season with the AHL team.
Penguins goalie Matthew Murray makes a save – Photo by Jack Lima
“I think it goes to show you, you can never predict what’s going to happen. My mindset has been this whole time to stay in the moment, take things as they come, focus on being in the present and taking things one shot at a time. I think that’s been working for me,” said Murray. “Like I said from day one, I’m just trying to have fun through all this. It’s been an absolute blast so far. I’m going to look to keep that same mindset going forward.”
Murray posted 23 saves for the win, while Jones had 17.
Nick Spaling (16) and Chris Tierney (50) react to Melker Karlsson’s (not pictured) goal – Photo by Jack Lima
The Sharks are not going to let this loss get to them. Coach Peter DeBoer said, “There’s no quit in our group. We’ve been the best road team in the league. We’re going to show up and try to get this back here for Game 6. Until you win four, this isn’t over.”
A scrum in front of the Penguins net late in the third period as the Sharks try to tie the score – Photo by Jack Lima
“We’ve been chasing the game the whole series by not scoring first. That takes you out of your four-line rhythm. It affects all parts of your game. We’ve been on the other end of that in the playoffs where we’ve jumped out to the lead on some teams and made them change their game. That’s the biggest thing we have to fix. We have to find a way to get on the board earlier in the game instead of chasing it all night.”
Both teams will head back to Pittsburgh for game 5 on Thursday and potentially the last game for San Jose, if they can’t gather some goals to bring it home for game six.
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