Three Stars: Bonino provides heroics for Penguins in Game 1
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The Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks kicked off Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final with plenty of fast-paced action that came down to the final minutes. Nick Bonino’s late third-period goal gave the Penguins the 3-2 victory, with the next matchup scheduled for Wednesday.
Here's who stood out to us on Monday:
Nick Bonino, Pittsburgh Penguins
Nick Bonino’s late goal lifts Penguins over Sharks in Game 1
Even if he hadn't scored the game winner, Bonino might have earned top star honors for the body of his work in Game 1. The third liner landed six shots on net, tied with teammate Patric Hornqvist for the game high, and tied Sharks defenseman Brent Burns with eight attempts. Bonino also blocked six shots and won 50% of his draws to cap off his best effort of the postseason.
Check out the Hockey Night In Canada Punjabi call of his goal.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
That was just Sid being Sid. Four shots on net, 56% on the draw, an unstoppable force on the cycle and a couple displays of his mutant passing ability that left his summer training buddy, Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, at a loss for words.
#http://www.120sports.com/video/v181185920/penguins-capture-game-1
Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks
If the Sharks were going to win this one, they needed Jones to steal it for them. He did his level best, but fell just short on Bonino's late goal. He made 38 saves, his second highest total of the postseason. His post-to-post sliding stop on Phil Kessel late in the third was as pretty as they come.