Penguins vs. Sharks: The Biggest Takeaways from Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final

Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final was going to be a major story in the series no matter the result. A San Jose Sharks win and the series would be reset, a best-of-three for all the glory. With a Pittsburgh Penguins victory, the series would head back to Pennsylvania with a 3-1 series lead for Sidney Crosby's crew.

Themes and trends have emerged in this series. Close contests late in the third period—two of the first three games decided in overtime—and the Penguins getting the best of San Jose on the shot clock held to form through three games. Great goaltending on both sides and goals from obscure sources were also prevalent as Game 4 arrived in California.

The Pittsburgh Penguins won Game 4 3-1, but the close score late into the game held sway again. Eric Fehr's goal with just a couple of minutes left iced the victory, but it was a close game late. San Jose finally got more shots on goal—24 to 20—but the goals came from role players, continuing the series trend.

Despite the marquee names on both teams, it was a close checking game that featured good coverage, tough battles on both sides and just one—vital—power-play goal that ended up being the winner.

Pittsburgh fans can't celebrate yet, but the Penguins are so close to winning the team's fourth Stanley Cup. And this time, the team has a chance to win it all on home ice for the first time.

Here are the top takeaways from Game 4 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Too Soon to Talk About the Conn Smythe Winner?

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are one win away from a Stanley Cup, and with the finish of the NHL season so close, talk turns to awards and legacies. Who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP?

Entering the Stanley Cup Final, the prospective list from the Penguins side was five deep. With Game 5 in Pittsburgh being a night that could see the curtain come down on the year, here are the four players and how well they have done in the finals.

Sidney Crosby has two points in the first four games against the San Jose Sharks, but his status is elevated by a single play. In overtime of Game 2, Crosby discussed a set play with Kris Letang and Conor Sheary—who would combine with the captain on the winning goal seconds later. He has also played over 20 minutes a night in an effective two-way role.

Phil Kessel is tied for the lead among Penguins in points during the series and has been the most dangerous player on the ice in the offensive zone. Kessel posted two assists in Game 4 and may have elevated his status to Conn Smythe Trophy favorite with his performance.

Matt Murray wavered slightly in Game 3, allowing a soft goal midway through the third period of the only loss for Pittsburgh in this series. Beyond that goal, he has been strong in all areas and a key player in the Penguins' success.

Kris Letang played almost 29 minutes in Game 4, had an assist, two blocks, two shots on goal and a hit. The slick defender has been incredible during the entire playoff season and is worthy of strong consideration for the Conn Smythe Trophy. His three points match Kessel, and his 29 points lead the way for Pittsburgh during the finals.

San Jose Sharks: So Close, and Yet so Far

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The San Jose Sharks organization has been trying to make it to the Stanley Cup Final for a quarter of a century, and some of its players—Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau—have played their entire careers trying to reach the ultimate goal.

The Sharks are down three games to one and heading back to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins in an elimination game. The leading goal scorer in the finals is defenseman Justin Braun with two, and Joonas Donskoi leads the team with three points.

It is clear injuries are taking their toll. Thomas Hertl has not played since Game 2, and Joe Pavelski—despite five shots on goal in Game 4—has yet to score a goal against Pittsburgh. The power play is a shadow of what it was during the regular season, and coach Peter DeBoer appears to trust only three lines.

Goalie Martin Jones has been splendid, but the loss in San Jose Monday night was a very difficult moment for the franchise. Can the team win in Pittsburgh and get this series back to California? It will take an amazing effort from a team that looks a step behind on almost every shift. 

Pittsburgh Penguins: Matt Murray's Importance to Victory

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Matt Murray has played more NHL playoff games than he has in the regular season—in his career.  Far from being an unknown in the hockey industry, Murray did not make his mark with the Penguins until the playoffs were underway.

Every championship run requires a great deal of depth, and in the case of the Pittsburgh Penguins, help was needed in goal. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jeff Zatkoff have played two games each during the playoffs, with rookie Murray going the rest of the way.

Murray and San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones are both posting strong performances during the Stanley Cup Final. Overall, Murray ranks No. 3 during the playoffs in save percentage among goalies who have played 10 or more games. 

Entering the finals, Murray was one of the favorites for the Conn Smythe Trophy. He has had some difficult moments—including a third-period goal against in Game 3 that came from long range—but he has been good enough to keep the net. The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the verge of the fourth Stanley Cup in team history, and the previously little known Matt Murray has been a big story.

San Jose Sharks: Running on Three Lines Isn't Working

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After Game 4, a quick look at the time on ice for San Jose Sharks forwards exposed a problem in this series. Tommy Wingels played just four minutes, Dainius Zubrus over five and Matt Nieto played less than nine minutes in a vital game in the series. All of those minutes not played by the fourth line mean the other three lines are being forced to spend more time on the ice. Down 3-1 in the series, this tightening of the bench is not working.

There are also other personnel issues. With Tomas Hertl injured, the lack of depth up front is even more pronounced as the season winds down. He has a knee injury and will not return this season.

Sharks coach Pete DeBoer is running out of time, so we may see him run three lines heavily again in Game 5. The team may also choose to load up one line with the team's best defensive pairing in an effort to overload Pittsburgh for a shift—a more difficult task on the road.

Pittsburgh Penguins: The Turning Point

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At 2:28 of the second period, San Jose Sharks forward Melker Karlsson took an interference penalty. Seconds later, the Pittsburgh Penguins went up 2-0 and would not look back in the pivotal Game 4.

On the faceoff after the penalty call, the Penguins quickly gained possession and set up in a typical power-play formation. Kris Letang cradled the puck at the blue line, right-hand side, then fed Phil Kessel high along the left wall. Kessel quickly returned the pass to Letang, who had moved over to the left side.

Once the high forward from the Sharks had released too high on the play, Letang sent an effective pass to Kessel—who was free to deal with three penalty-killing skaters and the goalie. From the position he had established at that time, the predictable play would have been a shot on goal from Kessel.

Instead, he sent a deft pass to the far-right goal mouth, where Evgeni Malkin quickly tipped the puck into the net. Elapsed time since the penalty: nine seconds.

The goal, putting Pittsburgh up by a pair, represented rare daylight in this series and gave the Penguins some breathing room in a vital game.