Stanley Cup Final 2016: Penguins, Sharks keys to victory

May 29, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins jerseys on display at the press conference are seen during media day a day prior to game one of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

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SAN JOSE, CA – MAY 25: The San Jose Sharks celebrate after they beat the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

For the Sharks, this is all a new thing: playing hockey well into June for the first time in the history of the franchise is something that many didn’t expect with this year’s playoffs. The first key is pretty simple: stay calm. It may be easier said than done, but San Jose can’t get too tight over playing for the Stanley Cup for the first time.

As for the on-ice skills, San Jose has to continue to stay fast on offense and be the scoring machine they were in the Western Conference Finals. The Sharks and their stars like Joe Thornton kept St. Louis on their heels for most of the series and had their skates on the gas pedal the whole time. Pittsburgh will be another tough defense and San Jose can’t afford to let up.

Finally, the Sharks have to continue to have success on the power play. So far in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, San Jose has a success rate of over 26 percent when they have the advantage on the ice. To beat a team with the talent of the Penguins, that number has to stay consistent and even be better.

If San Jose can capitalize on one out of every four power plays and succeed in the other areas mentioned, they will be in great shape to hoist the Stanley Cup at the end of this series.

Next: Pittsburgh's keys to a title

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