Penguins take their Stanley Cup dreams back to Pittsburgh after 3-1 Game 4 victory

With their 3-1 victory in Game 4, the Penguins head back home to Pittsburgh just a win away from hoisting the Stanley Cup. A low-scoring affair favored the Penguins as Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist in the win that has the Sharks on the brink.

Matt Murray made 23 saves and was key for the Penguins in preserving their lead in the third period.

Ian Cole opened the scoring for the Penguins 7:36 into the game for his first career postseason goal. Roman Polak was taken out of the play while finishing a check, which gave Phil Kessel time and space to enter the Sharks' zone. A big rebound from Martin Jones popped right out to Cole at the left face-off dot, and he fired the wrister home blocker side for the 1-0 score.



Though the Sharks finally outshot the Penguins in the first period 8-6, the Penguins came back to hold the Sharks to no shots through the first nine minutes of the second. Pittsburgh then widened their lead to 2-0 just seconds into a power play. Malkin got his first goal of the series on a deflection at the side of the cage, as the Sharks left the dangerous Penguins forward wide-open on the chance.

Murray stood tall in the third period but was finally beat by Melker Karlsson after the puck got lost in a scramble in front. Karlsson took a turnover from Cole and while falling down beat Murray blocker side to cut the Penguins lead to 2-1 at 8:07 of the period.

Eric Fehr capped off the game for the Penguins, putting away a 2-on-1 puck top shelf after a defensive breakdown for the Sharks had the forward streaking in all alone on Jones.

The Sharks were unable to pot another goal in the third to tie the game and the series. Game 5 will take place in Pittsburgh on Thursday.