5 reasons why San Jose Sharks will win Stanley Cup

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Justin Braun was one of five Sharks defensemen with at least 20 points in 2017-18. /

2. Defense

Playoff games are always tight, so a power play goal can be the difference between winning or losing a series. The Sharks penalty kill is tied for first in the NHL. San Jose allowed the lowest number of shots against among Western Conference playoff teams as well. Oh, and if that’s not enough, they boast arguably the game’s best defensive defenseman.

If NHL players had been allowed to go to the Olympics, it’s entirely possibly San Jose has two defensemen in the top four (Vlasic, Burns) of the Gold Medal favorite. The high-end of this group is as good as any in this league.

It’s not just Brent Burns producing offense on the backend, either, for the Sharks. San Jose’s defensemen combined to score 199 points in the regular season, the third highest mark among playoff teams.

On past teams it’s been more of a one man show. The Sharks’ defensive depth is the best it’s been in years.

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