Stanley Cup Final 2016 scores: Penguins, Sharks put on a show in Game 1

It's usually customary for teams, when first playing each other in a playoff series, to take part in the obligatory "feeling out process." Passes won't be as crisp, sticks will be clenched just a bit too tight, and much of the first period is taken up by failed breakouts and low shot counts.

The Penguins and Sharks, however, are the exception to the rule this year it seems. Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final was intense from the get-go. Pittsburgh potted two quick goals in the span of a minute after pushing the play through the first period, so much so they ended the opening 20 minutes with a 15-4 shot differential. The Sharks then pushed back in the second period with two goals that evened the game.

It was a performance that showed us just a glimpse of the type of hockey these two teams can bring. The Penguins' speed combined with the Sharks' resiliency and physicality made for one of the most exciting openers to the Stanley Cup Final in years. Once again, the newcomers on the Penguins took center stage as a pair of rookies and new addition Nick Bonino were the goal-scorers for Pittsburgh while the Sharks capitalized on their mistakes at the other end.

Games 1 normally are tone-setters for their respective series. Villains are established, heroes are made and the narratives start to plant themselves and grow. It's pretty easy to say this series will be made on how well the Sharks can manage the Penguins' speed and how the Penguins can hold off the Sharks' best players in Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski.

Right now, it's the Penguins who hold the edge in the narratives, and the 1-0 edge in the Stanley Cup Final.

Penguins 3, Sharks 2

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1. Justin Braun has not stopped spinning

Boy, did the Sharks defender get turnstiled here on the Penguins' second goal of the night.

The pass was also a really pretty play by Sidney Crosby, who got the primary assist on Conor Sheary's goal.

2. The shot disparity continues

A big reason why the Penguins continue to outshoot their opponents is their ability to block shots. Not only did Pittsburgh outshoot San Jose 41-26, they also blocked a grand total of 21 shots in the game. Much like their series against the Lightning, the Penguins are creating big gaps in the shot totals because of their ability to clog up the shooting lanes.

3. Martin Jones deserves a hug for being put in front of so many Penguins shots

The Sharks goaltender only gave up three, but the deficit could have been worse for San Jose without the stellar play of their netminder. Jones got 38 shots out of the 41 the Penguins threw at him, and the Sharks were fortunate they even had the chance to come back after getting lit up for 15 shots in the first. Both him and Matt Murray played extremely well in the series opener, and Jones was a big reason the Sharks were one goal away from winning the game instead.

Bonino's fourth goal of the playoffs broke the 2-2 tie with 2:33 to play in the game, helping the Penguins win after a huge third-period effort.

Tweets from Tony

Remember Tony, AKA @soloucity on Twitter, who fell in love with hockey during the Blues/Blackhawks Game 7? We're dedicating a section in our recaps to the gems of his Twitter account during the playoffs.

Tony got the hashtags working early #analysis

pens have controlled this game....i like it #analysis

— Tony X. (@soIoucity) May 31, 2016

Game 1s of the #StanleyCupFinal have been recently been close ones, but the winner usually winds up as the champ pic.twitter.com/eMOjIPNk7D

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 31, 2016