Penguins vs. Sharks: Game 6 Live Stream, NBC TV Schedule, Odds, Predictions

If the San Jose Sharks come back to win the Stanley Cup away from the Pittsburgh Penguins, they can look back at Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final as the game that started it all.

On the surface, that seems obvious. The Sharks were in a 3-1 hole heading into Game 5, and they were on the road to boot. To come back from a deficit like that, naturally you have to win that game along with the next two.

But the Sharks were thoroughly outplayed in the first four games of the series. Aside from scoring the game-winner in overtime of Game 3, they didn't lead in the series until they notched the first goal in Game 5. There was an onslaught of goals in the first period.

It was 3-2 at the end of the frame, and that score held until the Sharks got an empty-netter with less than two minutes to go.

Once the Sharks came out with the lead in the second period, goalie Martin Jones took over. And took over is an understatement. The kid had an out-of-body experience. Whatever superlative you can come up with would fit the performance Jones put on in the last 40 minutes of Game 5.

The Penguins assaulted Jones with shots all night. In fact, the Penguins outshot the Sharks 46-22. Jones stopped 44 of those 46 shots. As ESPN Stats & Info pointed out, Jones' performance was one for the ages:

The Penguins kept coming and coming, and Jones was up to the challenge every time. He made countless highlight-reel saves, including this sprawling kick save to rob Nick Bonino of a would-be game-tying goal, courtesy of NHL on NBC:

The saying goes that whichever team has the hot goalie has the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. The Sharks officially have the hot goalie. If Jones continues to be the brick wall he was in Game 5, the Sharks have a chance to come back in this series.

Their next chance will be in Game 6, which is on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. You can catch the game on NBC or stream it on NBCSports.com.

The combination Jones' otherworldly performance and playing at home has the Sharks favored in Game 6. Odds Shark has San Jose as a -115 favorite (bet $115 to win $100), whereas the Penguins are at +104.

If Jones stands on his head again, the Sharks will likely force a Game 7. But the Penguins have looked like the better team for the majority of the series. If they continue to play the way they have, eventually they will push a few past Jones.

The Sharks will give it all they have, but ultimately the speed and skill of the Penguins will win out. Look for the Penguins to clinch the Cup and avoid having to return home for a Game 7.

Prediction: Penguins win 2-1.