Stanley Cup Final 2016: Penguins close out Stanley Cup victory with a dominant Game 6

In the very end, the San Jose Sharks had nothing left.

The Sharks rode into the Stanley Cup Final on the back of their potent power play, but the Pittsburgh Penguins had spent the better part of five games shutting it down and keeping them off of it. And considering how the Sharks struggled at even-strength again in Game 6, with their playoff lives on the line, they desperately needed one late facing a 2-1 deficit.

So, if there's one takeaway from the Penguins' Stanley Cup-clinching 3-1 win in Game 6, it should be how they closed out the third period. You need the puck to draw a penalty, and the Sharks never had the puck in the final, most important 20 minutes of their season. The whole frame was a microcosm of how the Penguins had played for the most of the playoffs and much of the Stanley Cup Final: hounding puck pursuit in all three zones, terrific saves by their rookie goalie and a relentless attack in the offensive zone.

They were the best team in the NHL for the last few months of the season. And as dominant as the Sharks were in the Western Conference playoffs, they simply ran into a buzz saw in the final. The Penguins closed out their Stanley Cup win like champions, and earned that title.

Penguins 3, Sharks 1 (PIT wins series, 4-2)

* * *

Get the biggest NHL news, rumors and analysis in your inbox every morning!

* * *

1. Trevor Daley and Pascal Dupuis got their moments in the sun

Daley's journey to the Stanley Cup began 12 years ago in Dallas, where he toiled as a good soldier on some truly middling Stars teams for over a decade. He was traded from Dallas to Chicago in the offseason, and then discarded to Pittsburgh by the Blackhawks when it wasn't a good fit. And just when he reached deep into the playoffs, he exited with a leg injury and didn't finish out the Stanley Cup Final. But he got the Cup first from Crosby, a touching moment made even more so when you learn the backstory:

Crosby said he handed the Cup to Daley 1st b/c he told him after a visit home that his mom isn't doing well & she wanted to see him lift it.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 13, 2016

Dupuis was next. His career didn't end on his own terms this year, making it poetic that he was able to skate the Stanley Cup to close out his life in the NHL. Two wonderful moments for two deserving veterans.

Phil Kessel was the internet's favorite, for good reason. He led the Penguins in points and factored in so many important goals down the stretch. Kris Letang was probably the MVP of the Stanley Cup Final. Pittsburgh doesn't get out of the first couple of rounds without Matt Murray. But it was Sidney Crosby hoisting the Conn Smythe at the end of the playoffs, and it's hard to argue against the consistent greatness he displayed all spring.

Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau are both 36 years old. Dainius Zubrus is 37. Paul Martin and Joel Ward are both 35. Even Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski (31 years old) are on the wrong side of 30. It's hard not to think the Sharks' final window just closed, at least for their core.

Sidney Crosby joins Joe Sakic as only players with:

Olympic Gold
World Champ Gold
World Jr. Gold
Stanley Cup
Hart Trophy
Conn Smythe

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 13, 2016