Pens vs Sharks: SCF Fun Facts
Now that the SCF is over, this is my final fun facts post for the season. (I delayed making this post partly because I was busy and partly because I’m in denial that the season is over). The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-1 on June 12th 2016 and won the SCF series 4-2 to win the Stanley Cup. Here are some facts about the this SCF series, about the Pens, the Sharks and the 2016 Playoffs in general.
The Pittsburgh Penguins won their 4th franchise Stanley Cup on the 7 year anniversary of winning their 3rd franchise Cup. They won their 3rd cup on June 12 2009 after defeating the Detroit Red Wings. They won their 4th cup on June 12 2016.
This is Sidney Crosby’s second Stanley Cup as Captain of the Pens. Mario Lemieux also won two Stanley Cups as Captain of the Pens.
Jim Rutherford is only the 2nd GM in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup with 2 different teams. Rutherford’s prior Cup win was with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006
Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smythe Trophy. This title is gives to the Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs. This was Crosby’s 1st Conn Smyth
Crosby is now only the 2nd player in NHL history to have won: Olympic Gold, World Jr Gold, World Champ, Stanley Cup, Hart Trophy and Conn Smyth. (Joe Sakic is the only other play to do the same)
Crosby is the only player in NHL history to have won: Olympic Gold, World Jr, World Champ, Stanley Cup, Hart Trophy, Conn Smyth and Art Ross Trophy.
All 4 Pens’ Cup win have been on the road. 1991 vs Minnesota North Stars in Bloomington, MN. 1992 vs Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, IL. 2009 vs Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, MI. 2016 vs San Jose Sharks in San Jose, CA
All 4 Pens’ Cup-Winning teams have been coached by rookies (first year coaches). Bob Johnson, Soccty Bowman, Dan Bylsma and Mike Sullivan have all lead the Pens to a Cup their first season as Head Coach
Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, Ben Lovejoy, Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin were only the Pens’ players to play in 2009 and 2016
Pittsburgh Penguins had 18 players on their roster that played in the SCF for the first time in their careers, 2 players that played in the SCF for their 2nd time and 5 players that played in the SCF for their 3rd time
San Jose Sharks had 19 players on their roster than played in the SCF for the first time in their careers, 1 player that played in the SCF for their 2nd time and 1 player that played in the SCF for their 3rd time
In this entire series (not including OT), there were only 3 periods with no penalties (3rd of Gm 2, 3rd of Gm 3, 2nd of Gm 6)
In this entire series, there were only 2 periods with no scoring (1st of Gm 2, 2nd of Gm 5)
In this entire series, Pens were 3/13 on the PowerPlay, scoring one PPG in each of Games 4, 5, 6. Sharks were 1/11 on the PowerPlay, scoring their only PPG in Game 1
In this entire series, Pens had 206 SOG and scored 15 goals. Sharks had 137 SOG and scored 12 goals.
Sharks and Pens both played 24 games in the 2016 playoffs. Sharks finished with a record of 14-10 while the Pens finished with a record of 16-8.
This SCF was the most viewed non-original-six series on television in the past 15 years (in the USA as per NBC’s numbers)
Sharks’ Joe Thornton and Patric Marleau both have been playing in the NHL for 18 years. This was their first trip to the SCF.
Through the playoffs, Pens scored a playoffs-best 42 goals at even strength and allowed just 34. They had a 51.6 percent score-adjusted Corsi.
The Sharks finished the playoffs with a percent score-adjusted Corsi of 50.7 for even strength. They had the best goal differential at 5-on-5 with plus-14.
Matt Murray finished with a record of 15-6. Tying him for first place for most wins in a playoff season for a rookie.
Matt Murray finished the playoffs with a SV% of 0.923 and a GAA of 2.08. He faced 575 shots in the playoffs and allowed just 44 goals.
Martin Jones finished the playoffs with a record of 14-10, a SV% of 0.923 and a GAA of 2.16. He faced 684 shots in the playoffs and allowed just 53 goals
Logan Couture finished the playoffs with 30 points (10 goals and 20 assists) for the most points among all players.
Out of the top 5 points leaders in the playoffs, 4 of them are Sharks. Couture (30 pts), Burns (24), Pavelski (23) and Thornton (21)
This was the first time Sharks made to the SCF in franchise history.
This was the fifth time Pens made it to the SCF in franchise history.
Mike Sullivan played for the Sharks during their first year in the NHL.
Pens’ HBK line was responsible for 56 points in the postseason
Pens’ hired Mike Sullivan on December 12 2015. 6 months (today the day) later, they won the the Stanley Cup
First time since 2002 that no team was swept in the postseason
3rd time in NHL history (first time since 2006) that all qualified Original-6 teams were eliminated in the 1st round.
4th time in 6 years that all 3 California teams (LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks) made it to the playoffs in the same season
7th consecutive season that a California team was in the WCF.
2nd time in league history (since 1970) that no Canadian team made it to the playoffs. (Although the Pens and Sharks had a combined 20 Canadian players on their roster vs 15 American players)
Hope you enjoyed both the playoffs and the season. See you in October! :)
