Penguins, Sharks reach Stanley Cup Final with help from unlikely heroes

The San Jose Sharks and the Pittsburgh Penguins have fought their way to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final thanks to a combination of all-star talent and strong performances from under-the-radar players.

Regular-season scoring leaders like Sidney Crosby and Joe Pavelski have predictably come up big throughout the post-season, but several unlikely heroes have emerged as their teams pursue the NHL's ultimate prize. 

Bryan Rust 

The Penguins winger went from third-round 2010 draft pick to clutch Game 7 protagonist.

Prior to his two-goal performance to help Pittsburgh advance past Tampa Bay on Thursday, the 24-year-old had played a total of 55 games over the last two regular seasons, racking up a humble five goals and 13 points. 

The native of Pontiac, Mich., made his NHL playoff debut this season and has already equalled his regular-season career goal total with five goals along with eight points. His two multi-goal games this post-season put him alongside bona fide stars like Vladimir Tarasenko and Brent Burns. 

He opened up the scoring in Thursday's 2-1 victory and netted the game-winner only 30 seconds after the Lightning managed to draw even in the second period, which was huge for a Penguins team that had not managed to reach the final since 2009. 

Rust's other multi-goal game helped his team eliminate the New York Rangers in Game 5 of the first round. 

Joel Ward

The Sharks winger is the picture of perseverance. The 35-year-old wasn't drafted and got his first shot in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild in the 2006-07 season. 

From there he spent a few seasons in Nashville, but he's likely best remembered for his four seasons with the Capitals from 2011-2015. San Jose grabbed him in free agency with a three-year contract and the Sharks are probably pretty satisfied with that acquisition now. 

Ward, of North York, Ont., had back-to-back two-goal nights and the game-winner in Game 6 of the Western final as the Sharks eliminated St. Louis to advance to their first-ever Stanley Cup Final. Not bad for someone who opted to play for the University of Prince Edward Island before pursuing his professional career. 

He has six goals and 11 points through the playoffs after a 43-point regular season capped off one of the best runs of his career.

Matt Murray, Martin Jones

Not many people would have predicted that these two goalies would backstop their teams to the final but rookie Matt Murray and Martin Jones both answered the call. 

Murray was forced into the spotlight after the Penguins lost franchise goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to a concussion at the end of the season and the 22-year-old rookie netminder has thrived under the pressure. 

Murray has a post-season shutout and legitimately stole several games for the Penguins to usurp a now healthy Fleury for the starter's role. One of Murray's more impressive outings came in Game 3 of their second-round matchup against the Caps, when he made 47 saves and posted a .959 save percentage to steal a 3-2 victory and take a 2-1 series lead.

On the other end of the ice, Sharks goalie Martin Jones played his first full season as a starter this year. The 26-year-old was adequate in the regular season with a .918 save percentage and has been about the same in the playoffs (.919), but he has managed to collect the most shutouts in the post-season with three.

Considering the pressure, the similarly inexperienced Jones has handled himself well.

The HBK line

Although the Pittsburgh line of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel has been fairly ineffective the last few games, there is no denying that they played a pivotal role in the Penguins' success over New York and Washington. 

There was nothing wrong with any of the forwards' regular-season performance,s but the trio has come alive in the post-season as the team's most consistent line, reaching the scoresheet in 11 of their 18 playoff games. 

Kessel, who was acquired in an off-season trade from Toronto, leads the Penguins with nine goals and 18 points, while Hagelin has equalled his best post-season run with 12 points and Bonino has recorded a career-best playoff showing with 15 points.