PENGUINS VS SHARKS GAME 1 OF THE STANLEY CUP FINAL

It will be the Penguins vs Sharks Game 1 to open the 2016 Stanley Cup Final when they face off at CONSOL Energy Center tonight.

This marks the first all-time playoff meeting between these teams; they split their two contests during the regular season, with each club winning on the road. The Sharks, however, are 17-3-3 in their last 23 regular-season matchups dating to April 1, 1998 (PIT: 5-13-5).

The Penguins are making their fifth appearance in the Stanley Cup Final and are vying for their fourth championship, following wins in 1991, 1992 and 2009. The Sharks, who joined the NHL in 1991-92, are playing in their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S PENGUINS SHARKS GAME 1 ACTION
All Times Eastern
San Jose @ Pittsburgh, Game 1, 8:00 p.m.

TALE OF THE TAPE
A closer look at how the Penguins and Sharks match up (minimum 1 GP in playoffs):

Average Height
PIT: 6’1”, SJS: 6’2”

Average Weight
PIT: 197 lbs., SJS: 207 lbs.

Average Age
PIT: 27.8, SJS: 29.2

Birthplaces
PIT: Canada (9), USA (9), Sweden (3), Finland (1), Germany (1), Russia (1)
SJS: Canada (11), USA (5), Czech Republic (2), Finland (1), Lithuania (1), Sweden (1)

TEAM RANKINGS: 2016 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
A snapshot of how the Penguins and Sharks have fared thus far in the postseason:

Goals For (Per Game)
PIT: 2nd (3.22), SJS: 1st (3.50)

Goals Against (Per Game)
PIT: 6th (2.39), SJS: 3rd (2.28)

Power Play
PIT: 6th (23.4%), SJS: 2nd (27.0%)

Penalty Kill
PIT: 5th (83.6%), SJS: 7th (80.4%)

Shots on Goal (Per Game)
PIT: 3rd (35.1), SJS: 11th (28.0)

Shots Against (Per Game)
PIT: 9th (29.7), SJS: 2nd (27.1)

Blocked Shots (Per Game)
PIT: 7th (16.4), SJS: 3rd (20.6)

Face-Off Winning Percentage
PIT: 8th (50.0%), SJS: 16th (46.8%)

MILESTONES AND MUSINGS
There will be a new Stanley Cup champion for the 17th consecutive season. The last team to repeat: the Red Wings in 1996-97 and 1997-98.