Penguins’ Rust a game-time decision for Game 2

Rust has six goals in these playoffs, his first, a record for a Penguins rookie in one post-season.

Also, while it was a disappointing to see them begin the game in that fashion, team teal was just one shot away from stealing that game. But the Western Conference champions look to bounce back from that performance when the series resumes Wednesday night in Consol Energy Center.

While coach Peter DeBoer would not divulge who is coming out or what the Sharks’ line combinations might look like, it appears veteran left wing Dainius Zubrus will be a healthy scratch and Nieto could join center Chris Tierney and right wing Joel Ward on San Jose’s third line.

As an example, we present Game 1: The Sharks had a man advantage only once in the first 58 minutes and trailed 3-2.

Game three will be on NBC if the Sharks manage to win game two. There was a point earlier in the playoffs in which Crosby had a word with another linemate, Patric Hornqvist, after Hornqvist stripped Crosby of the puck near the opposition net.

In his assessment of the game for this newspaper, former Sharks assistant coach and broadcaster Drew Remenda said Jones “was all kinds of right all game”.

Staying out of the penalty box will be a major emphasis for the Penguins heading into Wednesday’s Game 2.

As for Marleau’s hit, which the National Hockey League did not issue punishment, Rust seemed okay by the decision. In the history of the Cup final, the team that lost the first two games went on to lose the series 44 of 49 times. They were credited with 21 blocked shots to 15 by San Jose.

Nick Wester, of San Jose, sits at the Garage Bar as he watches the San Jose Sharks and the Golden State Warriors on separate screens in the San Pedro Square Market on Monday, May 9, 2016, in San Jose, Calif. Both teams advanced to the second round of their respective playoffs. Crosby spent more than nine of his 16 even-strength minutes going up against that pairing, including the shift that resulted in the Sheary goal as Crosby beat Braun in the corner with a quick turn that allowed him to get off a slick backhand pass to set up the goal.

“He’s always a consideration”, DeBoer said.

The problem is, if Burns doesn’t get enough shots, the Sharks nearly surely won’t win.

Meanwhile, roughly 40 miles south, the San Jose Sharks are competing in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The difference is the Penguins do it with four lines capable of keeping the puck in the offensive zone for extended periods.

The whole play took about 10 seconds. “You’d be amazed how many times it gets said in this locker room”.

The greater point of concern is San Jose being out-shot 41-26 in Game 1. He scored the second goal of the Penguins’ series-opening win on Monday night after receiving a brilliant feed from the Pittsburgh superstar. “Weve got to play our game.”.

Rust took a shoulder to the head from Patrick Marleau in the third period of Monday’s 3-2 Penguins victory and twice left the game.

Odds are Rust will play. Its not a stark contrast from the way most of the top teams in the West play. Rust would eventually return to the bench and nearly immediately take to the ice. That means San Jose has to create more controlled zone entries, with an eye on feed attackers like Pavelski as they drive through the middle towards the net.

Tuesday, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan officially listed Rust as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. The Sharks do have quality forward depth but you can see even with that depth how hard it is to match up against the Penguins these days. “We’re getting spoiled here right now”, said Sam Cronin, of Berkeley.