The San Jose Sharks are home, and they're ready to go.
Fighting for their lives, San Jose was able to escape Game 5 in Pittsburgh thanks to an otherworldly performance from goaltender Martin Jones, and now, the Sharks will need a better performance all-around to do it again.
Here are three reasons why San Jose will get it done.
Martin Jones
Expecting Jones to perform the way he did in Game 5 may be a little unreasonable, but there's no reason to doubt he can dictate another game.
The 26-year-old has easily been the Sharks' best player to this point, producing a 2.16 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in 23 starts this postseason.
If San Jose manages to erase the entire 3-1 series deficit - such a feat that hasn't been accomplished since 1942 - Jones will likely be adding a Conn Smythe Trophy to his mantle.
Home-ice advantage
The SAP Center has been kind to the Sharks.
San Jose has posted a record of 8-3 at home in the playoffs, out-scoring opponents 37-22.
In addition, Jones has played his best on home ice.
| Location | GP | W | L | GA | Sv% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 11 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 0.932 | 2 |
| Away | 12 | 6 | 6 | 31 | 0.914 | 1 |
Similarly, Sharks forward Joe Thornton also has excelled at home, scoring 14 points to only seven on the road.
San Jose notoriously has one of the most raucous crowds in the league and Sharks fans will be going full force in their final home game of the season.
Logan Couture
It doesn't matter where's he's playing, Logan Couture has been lights out the entire postseason.
Leading the league with 29 playoff points, Couture scores at a torrid pace when it matters most.
| Game | Opponent | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Kings | 3 |
| 5 | Predators | 1 |
| 6 | Predators | 1 |
| 7 | Predators | 3 |
| 5 | Blues | 1 |
| 6 | Blues | 3 |
| 5 | Penguins | 3 |
Couture has continuously stepped up while his fellow superstar teammates remain mostly quiet, and suffice to say, if it weren't for the 27-year-old, the Sharks wouldn't be where they are.
