Following two overtime games, the Pittsburgh Penguins dominance in this series finally showed on the scoreboard. This time, Martin Jones could not save the San Jose Sharks, as he followed up his 40 save performance from Saturday night with just 17 saves on 20 shots, for a save percentage of .850. The Penguins would take the game 3-1, and now lead the series by that same margin.
Ian Cole strikes first for the Pens
For the fourth game in a row, the Penguins got on the board first. This time, it was Ian Cole scoring his first goal of the playoffs, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Considering the goals they have gotten from Cole and from Ben Lovejoy, it's the Penguins defense that is getting on the board, where the Sharks are more known for getting scoring from their blue line. Brent Burns has been silent in this series for the Sharks, and it has been the Justin Braun who has scored for the Sharks defensemen.
With a 1-0 lead early in the second, the Penguins got a power play following a penalty by Melker Karlsson. His interference kept him in the sin bin for just nine seconds as Malkin scored his first goal of the series, fifth of the playoffs. Kessel set him up well with a cross-crease pass and it went off Malkin's stick and above the glove of Jones to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. Kris Letang also had an assist.
Matt Murray stellar once again
The Sharks looked like they would get back in it early in the third. Karlsson scored his fourth goal of the playoffs, assisted by Chris Tierney and Brenden Dillon. But Matt Murray stood tall once again, stopping a great chance on a breakaway by Joe Pavelski and kept the Sharks from tying it up. Later, Eric Fehr put the game away with just 2:02 left as he went high glove side on Jones following a perfect pass by Carl Hagelin. Olli Maatta also picked up an assist. Pulling the goalie for the extra attacker was fruitless for the Sharks as the Penguins held onto a two-goal win. It is the first game in the series not to be a one-goal game.
It was the first time in the last 13 playoff games that the Penguins had been outshot by their opponent. The Sharks had 24 shots to just 20 for the Penguins. The Sharks also won more faceoffs at 37-30 and had more hits by a longshot at 46-31. But 10 giveaways doomed them as they led to goals for the Penguins. For a series that has featured three one-goal games so far, it has not been that close. The Penguins speed has been too much for the Sharks to deal with, and frequently the Sharks have been caught out of position and burned by this incredibly quick Penguins squad.
The series will shift to Pittsburgh for Game Five on Thursday night, and the Cup will be in the building.