Sharks vs. Penguins: Stanley Cup Final Game 1 Key Moment

The San Jose Sharks finally had their feet under them and started to roll against the Pittsburgh Penguins after the first period in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Patrick Marleau’s late second period goal tied the game at 2-2 and San Jose’s early game woes, where they allowed a 2-0 lead, seemed over. 

Then early in the third period Marleau hit Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust with a shoulder near Rust’s head.

From that point on the Penguins seemed to come alive. Pittsburgh fired 18 shots on goal in the third period to San Jose’s nine shots on goal. The Penguins also took 27 shot attempts to the Sharks' 17. 

Pittsburgh’s speed game culminated with Nick Bonino’s game-winning goal with 2:33 left in the third.

Rust left the game for concussion protocol according to NHL on NBC's Pierre McGuire, then returned to the bench, then eventually left for the rest of the game.

Could this hit merit discipline? Marleau was given a 2-minute minor for an illegal check to the head. If he has to miss any time, this could be a turning point in the series. 

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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper