Penguins vs. Sharks: Preview of Game 3 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final

Game 2 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final saw the Pittsburgh Penguins edge the San Jose Sharks, 2-1, in overtime. The Final shifts to San Jose for Games 3 and 4, with the Penguins holding a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

In this preview of Game 3, we'll review the ongoing factors for both clubs. We'll also examine what the Sharks could do in this game to get back in the series, and what the Penguins could do to take a commanding lead. 

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Recap of Game 2

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Conor Sheary's goal at 2:35 of overtime in Game 2 lifted the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. 

The first period was scoreless, with the Penguins holding an 11-6 edge in shots. The Sharks brought a more physical style to their forecheck, outhitting the Pens, 18-14, in the period. 

In the second, the Penguins' aggressive forecheck paid dividends. Left wing Carl Hagelin forced a turnover in the Sharks' zone. That led to Phil Kessel opening the scoring by tapping in Nick Bonino's pass attempt behind Sharks goalie Martin Jones. The Penguins held a 23-11 advantage in shots through two periods.

The Sharks pressed for the equalizer in the third period. With winger Joel Ward providing traffic in front of Penguins goalie Matt Murray, defenseman Justin Braun's point shot found its way in for the game-tying tally at 15:55. Having forced overtime, the Sharks finished the frame with a 9-6 shots advantage.

That was the best it would get for the Sharks. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby's critical faceoff win set the stage for Sheary's overtime heroics. 

Welcome to the Shark Tank

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With the Sharks down, 2-0, in the Stanley Cup Final, they'll try to reverse their fortunes on home ice as the series shifts to San Jose for Games 3 and 4. 

The SAP Center, also known as the Shark Tank, will be packed with over 17,500 fans cheering on their Sharks. It should be a raucous atmosphere as they enjoy their first-ever Cup Final home games. That energy could give the Sharks a much-needed lift.

Of the 16 teams that entered the 2016 NHL playoffs, the Sharks were the only club with a losing record (18-20-3) on home ice during the regular season. However, they were 7-2 through three playoff rounds.

Home ice proved crucial for the Sharks in their second-round series against the Nashville Predators. They took that series in seven games, with all their victories coming at the Shark Tank. They also clinched the Western Conference title in Game 6 at home against the St. Louis Blues. 

If the Sharks' playoff home-ice advantage continues, this series could be a long one.

The Art of the Draw

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The Sharks have the worst faceoff stats in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. That weakness proved costly during overtime in Game 2. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby won a crucial draw in the Sharks' zone, passing back to defenseman Kris Letang, who set up Conor Sheary for the winning goal. 

Crosby was strong on the draw in Game 2, winning 71 percent of his faceoffs. Following the game, CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz reported Sharks center Logan Couture accused Crosby of cheating in the faceoff circle, with the compliance of the on-ice officials. It should be noted, however, that Couture won all three of his draws against the Penguins captain. 

Whether or not there's merit to Couture's complaint, there's no denying that the Sharks are getting schooled on the art of the draw by the Penguins. To the average fan, that might not seem such a big deal. Crosby's faceoff win in overtime of Game 2, however, showed just how important that skill can be. 

In the 2016 playoffs, Matt Cullen leads the Penguins centers in faceoff percentage (52.9), followed by Crosby (52.7), Evgeni Malkin (47.9) and Bonino (47.6). Joe Thornton leads the Sharks (52.8 percent), followed by Joe Pavelski (50.4), Chris Tierney (45.5) and Couture (43.3). 

This is a key area the Sharks must work on prior to Game 3. If they don't get the better of the Penguins on faceoffs going forward, it could continue to hurt them. 

As for Couture's complaint, perhaps it will force the on-ice officials to watch Crosby more closely. It could also put Couture under additional scrutiny. 

Winning the Puck Battles

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The running theme so far in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final is how the Penguins are successfully using their speed against the Sharks.

That was certainly true in Game 2. The Penguins dominated the first and second periods, winning the races for loose pucks and outnumbering the Sharks in puck battles along the boards and in front of the net.

Speed was a crucial weapon in the Sharks advancing to the Cup Final. The Penguins, however, hold the upper hand in that department.

San Jose head coach Peter DeBoer and his staff must find a way to bring their players size and strength to bear in those physical puck battles. They must also generate more traffic in front of Penguins goalie Murray. 

The Sharks will have to find a more effective way to gain the Penguins zone. They must also avoid being outnumbered when battling for the puck at both ends of the ice.

When DeBoer tinkered with his second and third lines in the third period of Game 3, his players responded well. The Sharks outshot and outhit the Penguins, generating the effort needed to tie the game and force overtime.

It remains to be seen what DeBoer has in store for Game 3. He and his staff must find a system that counters the quickness of the Penguins in Game 3 or risk falling into a hole too deep to climb out of. 

Getting to the Goalies

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Through the opening two games of this series, it's clear the Sharks' best player is goaltender Jones. He's faced 71 shots thus far, stopping all but five. His save percentage was .927 in Game 1 and .933 in Game 2. 

It's also apparent the Sharks are wasting Jones' brilliance between the pipes. He's kept the games close, holding his team in it when it has fallen behind and giving it a chance to rally back. 

The Sharks, however, have yet to find a way to solve Pittsburgh Penguins rookie netminder Murray. The 22-year-old wasn't as busy as Jones through two games (facing 48 shots and kicking out 45), but he's been steady and reliable. 

Generating more shots on Murray on a consistent basis will likely be the Sharks' plan for Game 3. They will also attempt to get more traffic in front of the Penguins goalie, hoping to rattle the youngster and make his crease an uncomfortable place to be.   

Expect the Penguins to continue peppering Jones from all angles. They'll used their vaunted speed advantage to create scoring chances and set up more screened-shot opportunities. 

Burns vs. Letang

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Among the anticipated matchups of this Stanley Cup Final was that of San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns and Pittsburgh Penguins blueliner Letang. Both are among the NHL's best puck-moving defensemen. 

The hirsute, gap-toothed Burns entered the Final with 20 points. He leads all defensemen and is one of this postseason's top three scorers.

Letang's 10 points ranked well behind Burns. However, the 29-year-old has considerably more playoff experience, including a championship in 2009 with the Penguins. 

Through the opening two games of this series, Letang has the edge over Burns. 

While Burns picked up two assists in Game 1, he was scoreless in the second game. He also looked nothing like the fast, offensive powerhouse of the earlier rounds. He also struggled at times against the Penguins' aggressive forecheck.

Letang also collected two assists and still remains 10 points back of Burns. However, he was a factor in both of his club's game-winning goals.

In Game 1, it was his foray deep into the Sharks zone that set the stage for his crisp setup of Bonino's winner. He also set up Sheary's overtime marker in the second game. 

The Penguins rearguard has maintained his composure so far in this series. The Penguins' leader in penalty infraction minutes (22) this spring, he's yet to be penalized in this series.

Letang has also logged more minutes than Burns. The Penguins defender saw a combined 55 minutes in two games, while the Sharks blueliner played a combined 49 minutes.

The HBK Line

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Through three rounds of the 2016 NHL playoffs, left wing Hagelin, center Bonino and right wing Kessel formed the Penguins' most reliable and effective scoring line. 

Entering the Stanley Cup Final, Kessel led the Penguins in scoring with 18 points, while Bonino and Hagelin were among the club's leading scorers. 

Dubbed The HBK Line by Penguins fans, they've been deadly so far against the Sharks. 

Kessel scored the opening goal in Game 2 and was a constant scoring threat in both games. Bonino set up Kessel's tally in Game 2 and netted the winning goal in Game 1. Hagelin collected an assist in each game and was a thorn in the Sharks' side with his swift two-way play. 

Heading into Game 3, Kessel remains the Penguins' scoring leader with 10 goals and 19 points. He's now tied with Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov among the playoffs' top five scorers.

Bonino is tied with Sidney Crosby among this postseason's top 10 scorers. Hagelin, meanwhile, sits fifth among the Penguins scoring leaders.

The Sharks will attempt to stifle The HBK Line in Game 3, but it's proven to be a difficult task so far.

There's also a danger for the Sharks of putting too much focus on shutting down Hagelin, Bonino and Kessel. That could create more opportunities for Pittsburgh's big guns of Crosby, Malkin and Patric Hornqvist. 

Sharks Could Shake Up Their Lines

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Through the first and second periods of Game 2, the Sharks once again struggled to keep pace with the speedy Penguins. It wasn't until the third period, when DeBoer shook up his lines, that they found a spark. Braun scored late in the third to tie the game, 1-1, and force overtime. 

Following Game 2, Kurz reported DeBoer moved right wing Joel Ward alongside center Couture on the second line and bumped winger Patrick Marleau down to the third line with center Tierney. 

It was the hard work of that revamped second line that generated the game-tying goal for the Sharks. Don't be surprised if that line remains intact for Game 3. 

DeBoer could also consider a bit of a shakeup to get some offense from his top line. Center Thornton and team captain Pavelski are scoreless so far in this series. Left wing Tomas Hertl had a goal in Game 1 but was kept off the score sheet in Game 2.

Being on home ice for Games 3 and 4 also gives the Sharks the last line change. That should make it easier for DeBoer to get the line matchups he wants. It could also improve the scoring opportunities for Thornton and Pavelski.