Sharks Look To End 7-Game Winless Streak In St. Louis: Game Preview
April 21, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) eyes San Jose Sharks right wing Tommy Wingels (57) taking a shot and makes the save during the second period in game 5 of the 2012 Western Conference quarterfinals at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks (7-4-3) faceoff against the St. Louis Blues (9-5-1) in the first meeting of the season between the two. The Sharks’ winless streak is now at seven games while the Blues are on a three-game winning streak. Their last game was against the Vancouver Canucks which they won in a shootout by the final of 4-3.
San Jose, after taking an early lead in the Pacific division, is now at 17 points and sits in third in the division. They are one point behind the Phoenix Coyotes and are already seven points behind division leader Anaheim who sits at a lofty 23 points.
Meanwhile, the Blues have the unfortunate luck this season of being in the same division as the Chicago Blackhawks but are still tied for second place at 19 points with the Nashville Predators. Both teams are already eight points off the Blackhawks’ pace.
The St. Louis Blues are led in points by Alex Steen who has four goals and eleven assists for a total of 15. Right behind him is Kevin Shattenkirk who leads the team with 13 goals to go along with one goal on the season for 14 total points. Rookie phenom Vladimir Tarasenko has six goals and six assists and has 12 total points on the season. His goal total is tied for second with teammate Chris Stewart and two behind team leader Patrick Berglund who has eight.
Starting in between the pipes for them this evening will be goaltender Jake Allen who does not have the greatest numbers. He posts at .888 save percentage and a 2.77 goals against average while tallying three wins this season. If the Sharks can get shots and bodies to the net they have a decent chance of getting the puck in the net tonight.
What To Watch For
San Jose played very physically against the Blackhawks and I hope that continues. If there is one way to overcome a losing streak, it is by wearing down your opponents physically and then coming out strong at the end of a game. It’s a wonder why the Sharks have not been playing this way more often because they are one of the bigger teams in the league, but at least they are getting to it now.
Tim Kennedy has looked great for a couple of games now generating chances and even getting a goal in that time span. Look for him to continue to play well and hopefully he is able to spark the struggling offense. He led the team with four shots on goal against the Blackhawks, so if he keeps that up things could bode well for the 26 year old winger in San Jose.