It’s Western Conference day. Let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions as we head out to the Shark Tank in San Jose.
| Blues vs Sharks ML +127 / -140 O/U 5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
The Blues failed once again to secure a second consecutive win on home ice, as they were shut out in Game 2 by the Sharks 4-0.
The story of the game came in the form of special teams. The San Jose Sharks struck twice on the man advantage, both goals coming off the stick of Brent Burns. The Blues came up empty-handed in six attempts.
While shots on goal for the game appeared even, with the Blues holding a 26-24 advantage, closer inspection of game film shows that the Sharks held the cards for essentially the entire evening. Only in the final 10 minutes of the game did the Blues gain real ground on the Sharks in shot attempts and ramp up the pressure.
Via War-On-Ice:
A flawlessly executed cycle led to the Sharks’ first goal of the night. Tommy Wingels gave the puck to Justin Braun at the point and circled around to the slot. Wingels was given space by Braun, who quickly handed the puck off to Dainus Zubrus. Zubrus, with numbers, faked a pass with his head to the far man down low but instead passed it to the high slot, where Wingels launched a wrister past Jones. It was a similar play to the game-winning goal from Game 2 of the Penguins-Lightning series.
The Sharks’ ability to make something out of nothing shone through in their second goal of the game. Brent Burns’ pass on the powerplay went through the legs of Patrick Marleau manning the blueline. Feeling the pressure of oncoming penalty killers and wanting to keep the play alive, Marleau sent it down the boards to Logan Couture. Joe Pavelski, reading the play, provided support and a passing lane up high. Couture-Pavelski-Burns, 2-0.
https://twitter.com/myregularface/status/732743688858808320
Brent Burns would tally his second powerplay goal of the game and sixth goal of the postseason Alex Ovechkin-style, lining up for a one timer at the left circle and blasting it home.
With the net empty, Dainus Zubrus lifted the puck out of his own zone and it trickled in. Zubrus notched his first goal and assist of the postseason in this game and was a +4 in shot differential. Not bad at all.
Joe Thornton approved:
Hockey is fun. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/K3RKbl5TAd
— NHL (@NHL) May 18, 2016
The Blues never really were given too much. The Sharks did a tremendous job of blocking the middle of the ice and preventing chances down Royal Road. Troy Brouwer hit the post twice down low with the game still within reach, but beyond that, the Blues were limited to the outside.
Vladimir Tarasenko has been held pointless thus far these two games despite registering a team-high six shots on goal in Game 2.
The Blues, for what it’s worth, have been a better road team this postseason than home. They are 5-2 on the road, while they are 4-5 at home. The Sharks are 5-1 on home ice.
San Jose’s puck movement has been nothing short of stellar this series. They have been firing chances at Brian Elliott left and right, and their speed has been overwhelming. Joe Thornton, Brent Burns and Joe Pavelski are all deceptively quick for guys their size. They are gone in the blink of an eye, and St. Louis has had a very tough time limiting their opportunities as a result.
For St. Louis, transition is key. Transition and discipline, that is. With the Sharks’ powerplay as hot as it is, they cannot afford to give them five opportunities a game. If that means having to take the foot off the pedal a bit physically, so be it. The Sharks only have 41 hits through two games because they have had the puck. Wearing San Jose down physically is not very easy seeing as they are used to heavy hitting teams on a regular basis like Anaheim and Los Angeles. The way to beat them is with speed and skill and getting their speedy players on their heels.
Prediction: The Sharks have been rolling. Take San Jose to win and go up 2-1. Play the under.
