Stanley Cup 2016 picks: Penguins vs. Sharks – USA TODAY
The 2016 Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks begins May 30 (8 p.m. ET, NBC) in Pittsburgh.
The Penguins are returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2009 when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. The Sharks, meanwhile, are making their first Cup Final appearance.
Who will be lifting the Cup when the season comes to a close?
Here are the predictions from USA TODAY Sports’ NHL staff:
Kevin Allen: Penguins in 6. This should be a classic series between two talent-laden teams. The Penguins’ speed may give them a slight edge. Their forechecking can be highly disruptive. But the Penguins must slow down the Joes — Pavelski and Thornton — or they won’t win.
Jimmy Hascup: Penguins in 7. I have to stick with the Penguins because I picked them entering the playoffs, but I have less confidence about them rolling through the final round. That’s because the Sharks have played their best hockey since the beginning of the year, too. Including the playoffs, the Sharks are 40-20-4 since Jan. 1, while the Penguins are 42-17-4. This is a toss-up. Martin Jones will be the x-factor.
Peter Barzilai: Penguins in 7. The Sharks have been in control throughout most of their playoff run, but the Penguins present a different challenge. Unlike the Kings, Predators and Blues, Pittsburgh has more speed and offensive firepower. The Penguins have outscored San Jose this postseason at five on five (32-23, according to war-on-ice.com) and controlled play (50.5% Corsi for to the Sharks’ 49.2%).
Kristen Shilton: Penguins in 7. I’ve picked against the Sharks, and with the Penguins, in each series thus far, so I’m going to stick with the horse that got me here. The Penguins’ tenacity, depth and unflappability make them a slam-dunk pick to win the Cup, but the same qualities could be attributed to San Jose. Still, the Penguins’ resiliency and ability to get key contributions from across the roster is what has made them dangerous so far, and it’s what will keep San Jose on its toes.
Mike Brehm: Sharks in 6. Though I like the Penguins’ disruptive speed and their scoring depth, the Sharks’ stars are producing better than the Penguins’ stars in the playoffs. San Jose players also have the motivation of trying to win the first Cup for Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau – and frankly, most of the team. And coach Peter DeBoer has been here before and will know what to do to come out on top this time.
A.J. Perez: Sharks in 5. Pittsburgh isn’t facing a hobbled team that went without both its captain/top scorer and No. 1 goalie for the vast majority of the series. The Sharks are seemingly healthy and — just as importantly given San Jose’s uneven playoff history — clutch performers are abound this postseason. The Sharks have four of the five top scorers in the playoffs (Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski , Brent Burns and Joe Thornton). While Pavelski is the top postseason goal scorer (13 goals), it’s going to be Burns who will give Pittsburgh the most trouble — especially with Pens defenseman Trevor Daley lost for the postseason with a broken ankle.
