It’s the first series lead in a conference final in Sharks franchise history.
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After a 4-0 home loss to the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference Final to even the best-of-7 series 1-1, the Blues once again put the onus on their ability to perform well on the road. It didn’t show up Thursday as the Sharks shut out the Blues for the second straight game.
“With every round, the teams are getting better, everything is getting tighter, every shift is so important”.
The Sharks finished with three goals on just 16 shots on net. San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones, right, stops a shot from St. Louis Blues’ Kyle Brodziak (28) during the second period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Western Conference finals Thursday, May 19, 2016, in San. Elliott likely wants a do-over on this shot.
Each time the Blues have a chance to stay on the smooth interstate postseason highway with what feels to be an emotional victory, they have tended to veer off-course.
Shattenkirk said the Blues flexibility also allows them to make significant in-game adjustments when necessary.
The Sharks have to be proud of how they responded in game two.
At some point during the postseason, the Sharks ceased being a team of the past and took on a new identity, the identity of a poised and confident championship contender playing like they’ve been here before.
“We got away with it in Game 1 and didn’t get away with it (Tuesday) at all”. “I think it’s really gone on with us all year”.
It didn’t work for very long. Capitalizing on a St. Louis turnover, Hertl opened the scoring with 4:07 to go in the first period on a 2 on 1 with Pavelski.
Hitchcock indicated that he’s in no rush to name his starter. He passed to Pavelski, who held the puck for a second before passing across to Hertl. Thanks to an excellent snipe from forward Tomas Hertl, the Sharks took an early 1-0 lead against the Blues.
“I think if you look at the games, we’ve done it as a group”, Jones said.
San Jose gets in trouble when they struggle out of their own zone which plays right into the St. Louis attack which prides itself in getting in on the forecheck and grinding it out. That kind of two-way play is what makes Burns so impossibly valuable for the Sharks.
The Sharks’ captain released Hertl, who rifled home the slap shot from the top of the left circle to beat Elliott.
That led to Elliott’s departure, ushering in Jake Allen.
“I think we’re playing with confidence from game to game”, Pavelski said. “We honestly believe that he’s the best goaltender in the league”.
It’s a problem Hitchcock says he’s going to address by changing tactics meaning Stastny’s line could see a majority of offensive-zone draws instead of Tarasenko’s. It’s got to continue. They had the little details in their game tonight that we didn’t, unfortunately.
Jones, meanwhile, was stellar.
Burns already has six playoff goals, including two against the Blues in Game 2. Perhaps his best save came with 11:18 left, as he stopped Blues winger Troy Brouwer from point blank range.
The Blues took one on the chin in game two as the Sharks completely dominated from start to finish and ceased home ice advantage and plenty of momentum as the Blues look to take some of it back and reclaim home ice by salvaging at least a split on the road.
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Stamkos was absent at the last two days of practice, but returned to skate with the team today before revealing to the media that his status remains the same ahead of Game 4. We’ve got to amp up our game, get back to where we were before.
