Sharks vs. Penguins: Game 5 Live Stream, TV Schedule and Latest Comments

Filmmakers in Hollywood often ask moviegoers to suspend disbelief when watching a blockbuster film that involves characters with superpowers or a number of coincidences that take place in a short period of time.

The San Jose Sharks are engaging in that same practice as they prepare to play Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday night at the Consol Energy Center. The Sharks trail the series 3-1 and have been significantly outplayed throughout the series, even though the scores have been close throughout.

NBC will televise Game 5 nationally at 8 p.m. ET, and you can stream it on NHL.TV. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins handled the Sharks convincingly in Game 4 in San Jose, and now they go home with a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup.

Even though the atmosphere should be raucous in favor of the home team, the Sharks are talking as if they have a good chance to turn around the series with a victory.

"We're still right here [in the series]," captain Joe Pavelski said, per Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com. "If we find a way to win this game, it brings a little bit of life into us. This group has always had a lot of fun playing regardless of the situation."

Head coach Peter DeBoer confirmed that the team had a lively and enthusiastic practice session Wednesday, and there was no indication from the way the players went about their business that they were one loss away from elimination.

"I mean, this group is like that every day all year," DeBoer said, per Roarke. "I'm glad that I saw that today. You're never sure, considering the circumstances. I would have been worried had they come in quiet or dragging a little bit."

Game 5 Matchup	Series Standing	Date	Time (ET)	TV
San Jose Sharks at Pittsburgh Penguins	Pittsburgh, 3-1	June 9	8 p.m.	NBC, CBC, TVAS

The Sharks could get back into the series and possibly extend it to six or seven games if they can get off to a good start in Game 5. They have a diverse and talented group of offensive stars, but they have not been able to play with the lead in the series.

It has to be draining to go four games while trailing or with the score tied. A quick lead in Game 5 could give San Jose a lift and allow Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Logan Couture, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau to play with a bit more freedom than they have demonstrated to this point in the series.

If the Sharks can somehow score the first goal and get out of the first period with the lead, they could regain their confidence and play an outstanding road game.

If that happens and they hold on or extend that lead over 60 minutes, they would return to the SAP Center Sunday night with a chance to tie the series in front of their home crowd. The Western Conference champions have been solid on home ice during the playoffs with a 7-3 record.

All that sounds good in theory, but the reality is that the Sharks have a steep mountain to climb. From a historical perspective, 32 teams have trailed by at least a 3-1 margin in the Stanley Cup Final. The only team to come all the way back was the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, who actually overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the Detroit Red Wings.

The Penguins have been the faster and more decisive team throughout the series. If the Sharks really were going to assert themselves, why didn't they play better when they had a chance to tie the series in Game 4 at home?

DeBoer is doing everything he can to keep his team positive going into Game 5. However, unless the Sharks suspend disbelief, the night will likely end with captain Sidney Crosby and the Penguins waltzing around their own building with the Stanley Cup, as their fans roar their approval.