You try to get more shots on net.
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Joonas Donskoi wasn’t even born when the San Jose Sharks started in 1991 and hadn’t taken part in any of a series of playoff disappointments that haunted the franchise over the years.
Malkin isn’t the only star player in this series finding it hard to score or produce points.
“We’re playing against good defensemen”, Malkin said.
Despite being severely outplayed for nearly the entire two games, the Sharks still managed to lose by only one goal with the game-winner coming in the final three minutes of Game 1 and in overtime in Game 2. But goalies get in trouble – like Murray said may have been the case in Game 3 – when they stay on their knees when the puck is further from the net, creating a space over their shoulders, which is where Donskoi scored his goal. Lovejoy’s wrist shot from the right boards went through the legs of San Jose captain Joe Pavelski and deflected off Sharks defenseman Roman Polak past Jones at 5:29 of the first period. As the visitor, the Penguins had to make their line changes first. But according to Joe Thornton, the players basically told each other enough was enough.
Couture was added to the first line with a lower body injury forced Tomas Hertl to be scratched for Game 3.
The Sharks would be wise to keep putting pucks on Penguins rookie netminder Matt Murray, who showed his first cracks of the series in not only allowing three goals, but a game-tying tally by Joel Ward that he’d like to have back. Superstar Sidney Crosby mentioned about concentrating on doing his job for his team. Crosby and linemates, Conor Sheary and Patric Hornqvist, were contained by the Sharks defensive pair of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Braun, and held without a shot in the opening period. Each team had great chances to score more in regulation and couldn’t.
Malkin has already endured a slump in the post-season, going six games without a point through the second round and into the third.
It was also just the Sharks’ second shot of the game.
That’s not what it looked like outside SAP Center following the game.
Braun tied it up at 9:34 on a one-timer that completely fooled Murray. The average resale price for Game 4 Stanley Cup Final tickets is $963.20, down more than 25% from Game 3, and the cheapest ticket is listed from $671.
From that goal, the Sharks seemed to hit another gear, pushing deep into the Penguins’ zone for the next 10 minutes and limiting Pittsburgh’s counter attack opportunities.
Jones mishandled the puck after stopping an Eric Fehr shot to set up the Pittsburgh scoring chance.
Monday, June 6: at San Jose, 8 p.m.
And this series, which has featured three, one-goal decisions, is about as even as they come. “We have to build on that period”, Pavelski said.
The Penguins have to feel good about their chances going into Monday night, because they have outplayed the Sharks in each of the three games.
The Penguins didn’t need much from Murray the first two games when they controlled the play for long stretches.
And the Tank went nuts. “Get back to a shooting mindset a little bit”.
“I’ve watched other sports, I’ve watched other guys”.
“I’m happy I can finally chip in offensively”, Braun said.
Editors note: This was written earlier in the week, but didn’t get published because a certain editor, Paul Rogers, is a complete bonehead. “So I don’t call him that”.
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Same thing, Sharks center Logan Couture said.
