San Jose Sharks: Three Takeaways From Game Five

It wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but team teal was able to send this series back to San Jose for a Game 6 on Sunday night.

The entire city of Pittsburgh was transfixed on Consol Energy Center as the Penguins and their fans were looking to party. But nobody told the San Jose Sharks the role they were supposed to play.

The visitors struck quickly in Game 5, survived a Penguins onslaught and found a way to emerge with a 4-2 victory as the Sharks were able to force a Game 6 back at the Shark Tank on Sunday night.

Less than 24 hours later, it’s still hard to put into words the performance from Martin Jones who almost single-handedly postponed the celebration that was ready to erupt in the Steel City.

Time and again, Jones came up with save after save as he put on a show in thwarting the Pittsburgh attack.

Let’s take a look back at how Jones and the rest of his teammates got the job done in Game 5:

1. Sharks Start Fast, Penguins Answer

San Jose talked ad nauseam before Game 5 of finding a way to play with the lead and that’s exactly what they did as Brent Burns got team teal off and running just 64 seconds into the opening frame. He took the puck from behind the net and fired one that beat Matt Murray on the short side for his seventh of these playoffs.

The Sharks would double their lead only a minute and 49 seconds later when Logan Couture tipped home a point shot from Justin Braun as it looked like the visitors would run away with this one in the early going.

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However, a Dainius Zubrus delay of game penalty opened the door for the home team and the Penguins certainly jumped on the chance. After whipping the puck around on the man advantage, Evgeni Malkin would get a fortunate bounce off Braun’s skate as Martin Jones was sprawled out of position.

Then, just 22 seconds later, a brutal turnover from Brenden Dillon allowed Nick Bonino to take control and fire a shot that deflected off Carl Hagelin past Jones at the 5:06 mark.

Boom, just like that San Jose’s lead evaporated into thin air as Pittsburgh nearly delivered the knockout punch following the goal as they would hit three posts and had numerous Grade-A chances. The Sharks were fortunate to survive.

2. Martin Jones – Enough Said

The greatest reason they were able to survive was the play of Jones between the pipes. After looking a little shaky on the two-goal outburst from the Penguins, Jones settled into the contest and grew stronger as the game progressed.

Once Melker Karlsson gave team teal the lead back, it was on the shoulders of Jones to make that advantage stand up. He would do just that as he was simply phenomenal in setting a franchise playoff record with 44 saves, including 17 in the middle frame where it seemed there was a pileup in his crease on every shift.

It’s hard to pick out just one save as he robbed numerous Penguins on this night including in tight chances from Nick Bonino, Conor Sheary and Patric Hornqvist.

While the Sharks must be much better in Game 6, it’s great to know they have a difference-maker between the pipes who can steal any game.

3. Logan Couture Brought His A-Game

Lost in the shuffle of Jones’ performance was the play of Couture who was the best skater for San Jose last night.

Needing more from their top players, Couture responded with his best game of this series as he helped team teal get the start they were looking for. He played a key role in the first three goals of the night, beautifully tipping home a Braun shot from the point before an absolutely beautiful pass to Karlsson for the game-winning goal.

Couture added to his league-leading point total with 29 in these playoffs, and he became the fourth player in history to record three points in a period with his team facing elimination (via Elias Sports).

Next: Sharks Look To Plant Seed Of Doubt In Penguins Minds

The Sharks still need a better showing from Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, but Couture was the catalyst on this night.

San Jose is still conceding way too much to Pittsburgh and must clean that up in Game 6 if they want to have a shot of extending this series to a Game 7.