Malkin’s bounce-back performance paces Penguins in Game 4, Murray came up big, an unlikely offensive contributor, and more in four things we learned in the NHL.
Malkin silences critics
It was as if Evgeni Malkin‘s offensive prowess had vanished heading into Game 4 Monday night.
The Pittsburgh Penguins superstar hadn’t scored since Game 4 versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 20 and had been held pointless in the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final. The 29-year-old had become a target of criticism as the Sharks appeared to be making it a series following a win in Game 3.
Malkin picked up an assist on the Penguins’ first goal of the game and later scored what would stand as the game winner in the second period.
It’s not as though Malkin had been completely ineffective this post-season. He’d scored four goals and totalled 15 points in 20 games heading into Game 4 while also shading very favourably in the underlying number totals. No. 71 sat tied for sixth in shots on goal with 62, but his 6.5 per cent shooting percentage sat well below his regular season career mark of 13.1 per cent.
The wolves can back away. Malkin is just fine.
An unlikely goal from Cole
Ian Cole‘s contributions through the Penguins’ first 21 games of this post-season have largely been on the defensive side. The 27-year-old sits sixth among defenceman in hits with 41 in the 2016 playoffs and ranks fifth among all skaters in blocks with 45.
Cole finally landed himself in the goal column in Game 4, getting the Penguins on the board in the first period.
It had been a while since Cole last found the back of the net.
#Pens Ian Cole scores his first career postseason goal. It's his first goal since March 26, 2015.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) June 7, 2016
Martin Jones has to do a better job controlling that rebound, although Sharks defencemen Brenden Dillon and Roman Polak were nowhere to be found on that play.
Murray came up big…again
If the Penguins go on to win the Stanley Cup…hell, even if they manage to blow it, one would have to figure Matt Murray‘s play has warranted some serious Conn Smythe Trophy consideration.
The 22-year-old rookie netminder came up huge in the third period Monday night, stopping Patrick Marleau, who was in all alone.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Game 4 kicked off with a non-traditional rendition of the Star Spangled Banner performed by Metallica guitarists James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett.
However, all the harmonizing and shredding from the Bay Area thrash metal icons failed to inspire the Sharks to victory.
It’s Sad But True, the Sharks are one loss away from watching the Penguins raise the Stanley Cup. A goal from Ian Cole, the Thing That Should Not Be. San Jose, the Shortest Straw has been pulled for you. Joe Pavelski and Co. need to Turn The Page on a Game 4 loss. There will be No Remorse from the Penguins in Game 5. It’s time for San Jose to Fight Fire With Fire, fend off Creeping Death and get back in the series Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Time marches on…
