Sharks hoping tide will turn

Associated Press

SAN JOSE, CALIF.

The San Jose Sharks can take at least one positive out of losing the first two games of the Stanley Cup Final in Pittsburgh.

Despite being severely outplayed for almost the entire two games, the Sharks still managed to lose by only one goal with the game-winner coming in the final three minutes of Game 1 and in overtime in Game 2.

If the Sharks can somehow neutralize Pittsburgh’s decided edge in speed and get back to playing the style of play that got them this far for the first time ever, they might be able to get back into the series when it shifts to San Jose for today’s Game 3.

“In the playoffs, things are magnified so much,” Sharks defenseman Paul Martin said Friday. “You lose a game and it’s a close game you think about a big opportunity that you let slide away. But when you go over the film and watch the games, it’s right there for us.

“We got better from Game 1. Game 2 was a lot better. We haven’t played our best hockey yet.”

The odds facing the Sharks are daunting. Of the 49 teams that have taken a 2-0 lead since the final went to the best-of-seven format in 1939, 44 have won the Cup. Teams winning the first two games at home have won 33 of 36 series.

But the Penguins know better than to start planning any parades. Two of those three teams to rally after losing the first two games on the road have done it in the past seven years, including Pittsburgh itself in 2009 against Detroit. Boston also overcame a 2-0 deficit to Vancouver in 2011.

“We’ve talked about it,” said Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who played on that 2009 team. “You expect a really desperate hockey team. They’re only focused on winning one game. All their energy and everything is toward just tomorrow night. We’ve all been in situations where you put all that energy and all that focus toward one game and you know they will be at their best.”

Outside of a strong second period in the opener and a good push late in regulation in Game 2 when San Jose tied the game and nearly scored the go-ahead goal, the Penguins have been the better team.

They have a 71-48 edge in shots on goal, considerably more dangerous scoring chances and have forced the Sharks defense into the kinds of mistakes they didn’t make the first three rounds.

“They’ve done a good job keeping the puck in their zone, using their forecheck and making it tough on us,” defenseman Justin Braun said. “We’ve had a little trouble sustaining pressure. We’ve been one and out. They’ve had a couple of chances. That’s been a big difference.”

With Pittsburgh also doing a good job staying out of the penalty box, San Jose’s potent power play has had only three chances through two games and delivered one of the team’s three goals.

The Sharks say those lack of chances have been more about their play then the calls by officials.