SAN JOSE, Calif. — Much of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals was part hockey, part speedskating. When it was over on Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins had their second title in eight years and their fourth in franchise history, defeating the San Jose Sharks, 3-1.

What turned out to be the winning goal typified the high-end skill on display throughout the series. The Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby fed defenseman Kris Letang for a one-timer low in the right face-off circle that found its way into the San Jose net at 7 minutes 46 seconds of the second period.

And despite encouragement from the spirited crowd inside SAP Center for the Sharks’ first appearance in the Stanley Cup finals in their 25-year history, San Jose could not find the equalizer before Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist scored an insurance goal into an empty net with 1:02 left in the third period.

The game ended when Crosby cleared the puck the length of the ice with San Jose on a power play, and then the celebration began.