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San Jose Sharks: Three Takeaways From Game Six

By Patrick Leiva |
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate a goal by defenseman Brian Dumoulin (not pictured) past San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) in the first period in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate a goal by defenseman Brian Dumoulin (not pictured) past San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) in the first period in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Bennett/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports

San Jose’s season came to an end as Pittsburgh took Game 6 by a 3-1 final to take home their fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

The San Jose Sharks returned home to the SAP Center looking to extend their Stanley Cup dream to a Game 7. Unfortunately, that dream would end on Sunday night as the Pittsburgh Penguins crushed the hearts of all those in teal, walking away with a 3-1 victory in Game 6 to win their fourth Cup in franchise history.

It was a bitter end to a fantastic ride for team teal who took this franchise to new heights along the way.

While Sharks fans everywhere will surely feel proud of what San Jose accomplished, ultimately the Sharks fell two games shy and that stings right now.

Let’s take a look back at how Pittsburgh was able to take care of business in Game 6:

1. Penguins Were Simply Better

For anyone that tuned in to any game throughout these Cup Finals, it was fairly obvious to see that Pittsburgh was the better team and deserved to hoist the Cup

They were faster and deeper than San Jose in this series as the Sharks had no answer for the three potent lines the Penguins threw at them.

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Pittsburgh’s top players outplayed San Jose’s as Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel all left their imprint on this series, while team teal didn’t get enough from the likes of Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau.

Even when team teal tied the score in the middle frame, Pittsburgh answered right back as Kris Letang scored the game-winning goal just one minute and 19 seconds later to deflate the frenzied crowd.

At the end of the day, you have to tip your cap to the Penguins who frustrated the Sharks from the get go and never let up en route to clinching the Cup tonight.

2. Martin Jones Stood Tall Once Again

If there were still any lingering doubts or questions about the starting netminder for San Jose, Jones certainly put all those to rest with his performance over the past six games, and really the entire season.

Jones was fantastic yet again, and there’s an argument to be made that he was the most outstanding player on either side in this series.

He came up huge throughout, giving his teammates a chance to stay alive in making 24 saves, many of which were high quality chances from some of the Penguins best snipers.

He robbed Nick Bonino for the second-straight game with an unbelievable pad save, before sprawling out to deny Kessel in the third.

The Sharks wouldn’t have stood a chance if not for the goaltending show that Jones put on in this series.

3. Logan Couture’s Historic Run

One of the few bright spots for the Sharks in this game, and series, was Couture who capped off a tremendous postseason.

Couture scored the lone goal for team teal, his 10th of his playoff campaign, to tie things up and give San Jose a glimmer of hope.

Next: Sharks Season Comes To A Close After Game Six Defeat

He led the league in scoring with 30 points during these playoffs and became only the fourth player in the last 20 years to accomplish that feat.

After a season riddled with injuries, Couture brought his best when his best was required for the Sharks. Unfortunately, just not enough to see San Jose past Pittsburgh.

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