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Pittsburgh Penguins Are 2016 Stanley Cup Champions

By Aly Dhanani

Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins players celebrate on the ice after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins players celebrate on the ice after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pittsburgh Penguins Are Stanley Cup Champions After Defeating San Jose in Game Six of the Cup Final

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Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins players pose for a team photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pittsburgh Penguins have done it. With a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Sidney Crosby and company have won the 4th cup in Pens history.

Kris Letang, who underwent foot surgery prior to the Final, scored the go-ahead game winning goal in the second period. This has been a Cup run filled with emotion.

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In one year the Penguins have traded players David Perron, Rob Scuderi, Simon Despres, Kasperi Kapanen, Brandon Sutter, and Scott Harrington (as well as a 1st and two 3rds) , in return receiving  Phil Kessel, Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino, Justin Schultz, Trevor Daley, and Ben Lovejoy – Not to mention coach Mike Johnson was replaced by farm team head coach Mike Sullivan.

Other hardships the Penguins have endured recently is the stroke to Kris Letang early last year and longtime Penguins Pascal Dupuis being forced to retire due to blood clots.

That’s some solid work from GM Jim Rutherford. He not only obtained the whole HBK line via trade, but built a team that represents the modern-day NHL: fast and furious.

pittsburgh penguins
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the Conn Smythe Trophy after defeating the San Jose Sharks in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Captain and face of the franchise Sidney Crosby accepted the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Crosby scored 6 goals and 19 points in 24 games, playing on another level in terms of his all around game.

He shot at a dismal 8.7 shooting percentage during the playoffs, showing that this is a very different Penguins team than in the past. Crosby and partner in crime Evgeni Malkin don’t always have to be relied on for offense.

pittsburgh penguins
Jun 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) makes a save against the San Jose Sharks in the first period in game six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

The Penguins season was also headlined by the success story of a 22-year-old goaltender from hometown Pennsylvania. Matt Murray. Usually, goalies don’t start till they are around 24-25 but Murray has performed so amazing this postseason he has made Marc-Andre Fleury expendable on the Pens roster.

Next: Lake Erie Monsters Win Calder Cup Championship

Murray went from AHL rookie of the year to Conn Smythe candidate in just over a year, tying (Cam Ward 2006) the NHL record for wins by a rookie goaltender (in the playoffs) with 15. He finished the postseason 15-6-0, with a 2.08 GAA and a .923 SVP.

How will the Pens offseason look? Will they have a salary cap crunch just like Chicago? Make sure to comment your thoughts.

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