Penguins Run to the Stanley Cup

The Penguins had a crazy year that ended up with a Stanley Cup and it couldn't have ended up any better. They had to go through the Rangers, Capitals, Lightning and Sharks to win it all. For the first two games of the first round against the Rangers, Jeff Zatkoff started the game as a backup for the Penguins and won game one, but lost game 2. In game 3 rookie Matt Murray who has basically no NHL experience started for the Pens and only allowed one goal that game. In game 4 Murray got his first NHL shutout in a 5-0 win with 31 saves. The Penguins ended that series at home in game 5 when they won 6-3. The Rangers in that series looked totally unprepared, but the Penguins came ready to play at the very get go. For round 2 the Pens had to play the Presidents Trophy winner Washington Capitals which proved to be not as bad as expected. This was also Eric Fehr's former team so it was obviously special to play them. Game one was a 4-3 overtime loss with Capital's forward T.J Oshie getting a hat trick. Game 2 was a close game, but a win for the Penguins with a score of 2-1. Game 3 was a home game for the Pens while the series was tied so it was important to win at least one of the two games at home. Murray faced 49 shots while only allowing 2 goals while the Penguins had less, so he really stole game 5 form the Capitals. Game 4 was a close one that had the Penguins taking it 3-2 in another overtime. The Capitals were facing elimination at this point so they played really hard in game 5 and emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. Game 6 was a memorable one that had to Penguins win 4-3 in overtime on Nick Bonino's memorable overtime goal. That series really boosted the confidence for the Pens for they took out their rival Capitals once again in the second round. Now the Penguins had to play the former Eastern Conference champion the Tamp Bay Lightning. Game one was a 3-1 loss, game 2 was a 3-2 win, game 3 was a 4-2 win, game 4 was a 4-3 loss, game 5 was a 4-3 loss in overtime, and game 6 had the Penguins facing elimination for the first time this year, but the came out on top 5-2. Game 7 was a do or die for the Penguins and they won 2-1 with Bryan Rust scoring the only two goals for Pittsburgh. The Penguins would have to take the final test against the San Jose Sharks who miraculously made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Game one was up and down, but had Nick Bonino give the Penguins a 3-2 lead late into the game. Game 2 was all Penguins with Conor Sheary winning the game in overtime. Game 3 proved that the series was far from over when the Penguins lost 3-2 in overtime and instantly gave the Sharks the momentum going into game 4. Game 4 was the Penguins once again winning the game, but this time it was 3-1 in San Jose. Game 5 gave the Penguins the chance to win the Stanley Cup at home for the first time in their history, but Sharks goalie Martin Jones made 44 saves and prevented the Pens from winning it at home. 4-2 was the final score. Game 6 was close, but had Brian Dumoulin, Kris Letang, and Patric Hornqvist all score goals in the finals game of the 2015-2016 NHL season. Through all of this Sidney Crosby won the Conn Smyth trophy and everyone in Pittsburgh can now celebrate with the Stanley Cup. Did Crosby deserve the Conn Smyth? Are the Penguins going to repeat as champions? Is this the beginning of a dynasty? stay tuned....