Dan’s Daily Links: End of Sharks Era Looms, Penguins Lit Up Worlds

If the San Jose Sharks lose Game 6 and yet again fail to win the Stanley Cup, it will likely be the end of the Sharks era. Unrestricted free agency, age and the lack of ultimate success loom like an air tank in the crosshairs of a police captain trying to save beachgoers and avenge a salty Navy man (Jaws reference). The Philadelphia Flyers are beginning their offseason grocery shopping. And a pair of Pittsburgh Penguins wingers had a pretty, pretty good World Championship run.

First, our boys at Boston Hockey Now decided to use the 11-day layoff between sweeping Carolina and the start of the Stanley Cup Final to have some fun. They compared the Bruins to the Game of Thrones characters. Who’s who? (Boston Hockey Now)

We may do the same for the Penguins. Hint: Sidney Crosby would have to be Jon Snow. But would Malkin be Dany? And to who would Phil Kessel be compared? (Okay, we did it.)

The San Jose Sharks will pass the Penguins for most playoff games played since 2004 when the puck drops for Game 6. The Sharks have had unparalleled success, except for actually winning the Cup. Tonight could close that era (Sportsnet)

Here is my favorite read of the day–It’s time for the Sharks to fight. It’s not how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done (San Jose Mercury News)

Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer lays out the Philadelphia Flyers offseason needs. A number two center is high on the priority list (Philadelphia Inquirer)

The Flyers with Nazem Kadri could shake up the Metro standings. A team which made the playoffs this season would likely miss it next season if the Flyers can improve that much.

Here are the raw stats. A couple of Penguins wingers had a point-per-game or better in the World Championships, including Dominik Simon (Quant Hockey)

I enjoyed Jonathan Bombulie’s writing on Simon’s World Championships, too. Trigger Warning for stubborn Simon haters (Tribune-Review)

While we’re on the topic of Simon, the Pittsburgh Penguins bottom lines have a few open opportunities. But do they have any qualified job applicants? (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

–Dan’s Daily Links sponsored by Redbeard’s Bar and Grill on Sixth Ave Downtown or Mt. Washington. It’s the kind of chill place that downtown Pittsburgh has lost. Click here for the daily specials (Redbeard’s Pgh)