Breaking down the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2-1 overtime victory against the San Jose Sharks in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on Wednesday night.
How it happened: Conor Sheary wristed the puck over the glove of Sharks goalie Martin Jones 2:35 into overtime to give the Pens a 2-0 edge in the series. The game-winning goal was set up by a faceoff win by Sidney Crosby as the puck was shuffled from Kris Letang to Sheary, who has scored in each of the first two games of the series.
Sharks defenseman Justin Braun tied the game with four minutes left in regulation to force overtime. It was Braun's second career playoff goal and first this postseason. Logan Couture, who won a battle behind the Penguins' net to set up the scoring chance, and Joel Ward assisted on the equalizer.
The Penguins again were relentless, not that it showed on the scoreboard in regulation.
Pittsburgh held a 29-20 shot advantage through the first three periods and it was 23-11 Pens through the first two. The Sharks again relied on the stellar play of Jones to make Game 2 competitive.
The Pens’ one-goal lead was created on a tally by Phil Kessel in the second period. The goal was set up by a horrendous turnover by Sharks defenseman Roman Polak. All Kessel had to do was tap in a pass from Nick Bonino for the goal at 8:20.
What the Penguins did well: The Pens have been the quicker team over the first two games --- and it’s not even close. They continue to beat the Sharks to loose pucks all over the ice and have yet to trail in the series.
It took nearly two periods for San Jose to reach double digits in shots in Game 2.
Goalie Matt Murray hasn’t needed to be spectacular, but he has remained composed in Pittsburgh’s net. The game-tying goal was a savable shot, but he had plenty of traffic in front to contend with on Braun's shot. He withstood a flurry as time ticked down in regulation to keep the game tied.
Crosby again was a force, especially in the faceoff circle. He won 71% of his faceoffs, including the one that set up the game-winner.
What the Sharks did well: Jones might be in his first season as a starter, but he’s carrying the Sharks’ veteran-laden team.
Sure, he had some help as at least three shots ricocheted off either the post or crossbar. But he has been the best player in both games so far in the final with solid positioning and strong rebound control. He finished with 28 saves.
Coach Peter DeBoer shuffled his lines throughout the game, including the combo -- Couture, Ward and Joonas Donskoi -- that was on the ice when the Sharks tied the game. Tomas Hertl again was one of the Sharks' better forwards, just missing on a wraparound opportunity in regulation.
What’s next: There’s a two-day break before the best-of-seven series shifts to SAP Center in San Jose for Game 3 on Saturday.
