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San Jose Sharks Need More From Their Top Players

By Patrick Leiva |
Jun 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) tries to gain control of the puck as he falls to the ice as Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) defends and goalie Matt Murray (30) slides across the crease in the second period in game four of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) tries to gain control of the puck as he falls to the ice as Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) defends and goalie Matt Murray (30) slides across the crease in the second period in game four of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

San Jose made the Stanley Cup Finals thanks to outstanding play from their top players, but they’ve failed to perform at their full capabilities against the Penguins.

The narrative that has constantly surround this San Jose Sharks franchise is their big players come up short when it’s mattered most in the playoffs.

In making a run to the Stanley Cup Final, San Jose has been dispelling that notion as the team’s top players have guided this team to new heights.

Logan Couture leads the postseason with 26 points. Joe Pavelski leads playoffs with 13 goals. Brent Burns has been a monster on the back end with 22 points of his own.

However, through four games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Sharks best players haven’t produced which leaves team teal in a 3-1 series hole.

As always with San Jose, it starts with Joe Thornton who has played solid hockey, but hasn’t been able to make plays as often as he did when his line was dominating the Western Conference. Part of that has been due to the Penguins taking away the time and space from Thornton to be able to survey the ice and pick out whomever he’d like.

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Thornton has just two assists thus far, not surprisingly both came in team teal’s Game 3 victory, with a minus-three rating as his line has been on the ice when Pittsburgh has struck.

One reason why Thornton’s points are down: the Penguins have done a tremendous job in limiting the Sharks captain. Pavelski was red-hot heading into the Cup Final after torching the Blues to the tune of four goals and five assists in six games.

Against Pittsburgh, it’s been a completely different story. He’s been held off the scoresheet entirely as the Penguins have swarmed him whenever he’s had the puck on his stick. While he finally looked dangerous in Game 4 with five shots on goal, he still has nothing to show for it.

It isn’t just the two Joes who have been held in check either. Couture, Burns and Patrick Marleau have combined for just one goal and four assists in four games, with neither of them finding the scoresheet in the past two games.

It’s been a particularly frustrating series for Burns who has seen shot after shot of his blocked by a sprawled out Penguins player in front.

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These five players represent the leading scorers for San Jose, and also, form what was one of the most lethal power-play units in the playoffs. They haven’t even gotten that part of the game going as the Sharks are just 1-for-8 in the series, with Tomas Hertl scoring the lone goal.

Meanwhile, the Penguins best players have delivered their team one win away from the Stanley Cup.

Sidney Crosby has been one of the top skaters in this series, with a pair of assists and causing problems for San Jose in the defensive zone. Evgeni Malkin brought his best game of this series in Game 4 with the game-winning goal and an assist.

And then, there’s Phil Kessel who is putting himself in the Conn Smythe conversation. He leads Pittsburgh with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in these playoffs, and has himself a goal and two assists against team teal.

Finally, one can’t overlook the play of Kris Letang on the back end, who’s leading a make-shift defense in stifling the Sharks attack. He’s recorded three assists thus far and is playing more than 29 minutes a night.

While it certainly isn’t the only reason San Jose is behind, it’s a pretty key one that Pittsburgh’s top guys have out-performed theirs.

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The Sharks top players must find a way to positively impact the game and inject confidence into this group. These veterans for San Jose have waited a long time for this particular opportunity, and right now, it’s passing them by.

Fairly or unfairly, all eyes will be on these players for team teal moving forward. While they will need everybody in their lineup, San Jose’s best players have to be the ones driving the bus. After proving the narrative wrong for more than a month and a half, it would be a shame to see it pop right back up if the Sharks can’t find a way to deliver.

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