Pittsburgh Penguins
Last time out, the Pittsburgh Penguins were defeated 3-2 in overtime, and they now look to redeem themselves after a disappointing Game 3. Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray allowed a goal he surely wishes he could get back: a top-shelf game-winner to Joonas Donskoi.
Murray, however, is 4-0 in games following a loss this playoff season, which spells good news for the Penguins entering Game 4. However, Pittsburgh’s power play has yet to score a goal this series, going 0-6 against the Sharks and 0-11 in the last four games.
“We just got to get back to the basics and move the puck quick and take what they give us,” Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist said. “We can’t have set plays. We have to move and take it to the net and then the coverage can open up and maybe throw some seam passes. But most important is to get pucks and bodies around the net.”
San Jose Sharks
After hosting their first-ever Stanley Cup Finals game, it’ll be interesting to see how the San Jose Sharks prepare for Game 4 — the Penguins will certainly be coming out in full force. Sharks forward Tomas Hertl, who typically plays on San Jose’s first line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, was scratched from tonight’s game with a lower-body injury. (Hertl was injured in the third period of Game 2 and hasn’t played since.)
The Sharks will be running on pure adrenaline during this evening’s match, and head coach Peter DeBoer is confident his team will step up.
“It’s a critical game,” DeBoer said Sunday after his team’s optional practice. “It’s one of those crossroad type games. I think it should be the best game of the series. Every game’s gotten a little better. I think the next one will be the best one so far.”
With Hertl out for Game 4, Melker Karlsson will once again be the replacement. Karlsson played alongside Pavelski and Thornton during most of Game 3, but Karlsson was eventually switched with Logan Couture.
Prediction
This is an incredibly huge game for both teams. If Pittsburgh wins, not only do they have one more game between them and hoisting the Cup, but they have a chance to do it in front of their fans. If San Jose wins, the Sharks will completely reset the series, and the momentum could swing in their favor.
Tonight, the Penguins will narrowly escape victory and take the series back home to the Consol Energy Center, where Pittsburgh has its first chance to win the Cup at home.
Where: SAP Center, San Jose, CA
When: Monday, June 6 @ 8:00 p.m.
Watch: NBC, CBC, TVA
Image credit: Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports
