The Pittsburgh Penguins are 60 minutes from hoisting the Stanley Cup.
A number of factors led to the Penguins' 3-1 victory Monday over the San Jose Sharks that gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 series lead.
Here are three keys to the win that put the Sharks on the brink:
Malkin's luck turns around
It was only a matter of time.
Evgeni Malkin found the scoresheet for the first time in the series, notching the game-winner and assisting on Ian Cole's goal that opened the scoring.
Malkin was bound to break through, considering he entered Monday leading all Penguins forwards in even-strength Corsi For per 60 minutes in the Cup Final and had a score-adjusted Fenwick above 60 against the Sharks heading into Game 4.
He continued to drive puck possession Monday, as only four Penguins had better Corsi For percentages in all situations than Malkin in the victory.
The dynamic center has 17 points in 21 playoff games this spring.
The first cut is the deepest
Cole's first-period goal marked the fourth straight time the Penguins scored first, and that trend has helped Pittsburgh take three of the four games.
Strong starts have been a key element in the recipe for the Penguins' success. They've nearly doubled the Sharks in first-period shots on goal, outshooting them 46-24 (or by an average of 11.5 to six) over the first four contests.
.@penguins have not trailed at any point during #StanleyCup Final (254:53). In fact, PIT has not trailed in its last 435:46 of playing time.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 7, 2016
Joonas Donskoi's overtime winner in Game 3 was technically the only time the Sharks led in the Cup Final, and the Penguins' dominance early in games has plenty to do with that.
Kessel's long Conn
Forget the ill-conceived narratives. Phil Kessel is a bona fide playoff performer.
The Penguins forward collected two more assists in Game 4 and now has 21 points in 22 postseason games in 2016.
Kessel's strong play has him in the Conn Smythe Trophy conversation as the potential postseason MVP. He leads all playoff skaters with 91 shots on goal and ranks fourth in points behind a trio of Sharks.
He's been a significant contributor for the Penguins, who have a chance to win the Cup at home Thursday.
(Analytics courtesy: HockeyStats.ca)
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