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GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMOX

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:59 am
by dmiles2186
SHARKS (7-4-3) at BLUES (9-5-1)

TV: TSN2, NBCSN, CSN-CA

Last 10: San Jose 3-4-3; St. Louis 5-4-1.

Season series: This is the first of three meetings. They last met in the 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinals, a series that the Blues won in five games.

Big story: Behind rookie goaltender Jake Allen, the Blues return home after going 3-0 on their recent road trip, earning victories in Detroit, Calgary and Vancouver. Meanwhile, their opponent Tuesday night has yet to win February, as the Sharks are 0-4-3 this month. It’s their longest losing streak since an 0-7-3 funk from Nov. 5-30, 2005.

Team scope:

Sharks: The woes continued for San Jose on Friday night, when it suffered a 4-1 loss against the red-hot Chicago Blackhawks. Tim Kennedy had the lone goal for the Sharks, who are only halfway through their six-game road trip.

"We just have to keep working," Sharks captain Joe Thornton said. "We'll work our way out of this and that's all we can do. It's tough, but we have a lot of veterans here."

Blues: With Jaroslav Halak injured (groin) and Brian Elliott struggling mightily (.849 save percentage), Allen has been a godsend for the Blues. He had a 2.58 goals-against average on the road trip and made 28 saves in Sunday’s 4-3 shootout win against the Canucks.

With Halak now healthy, it’s up to Blues coach Ken Hitchcock to find playing time for both – and he says he will. St. Louis will visit Colorado on Wednesday night.

"(Allen) has really helped stabilize us," Hitchcock said. "He's just a solid guy. There's no holes in his game. It's a big step for us."

Who’s hot: Even with Friday’s performance (four goals on 37 shots), Sharks netminder Antti Niemi has still only allowed five goals in his past three appearances. He’s boasting a 1.94 GAA and .930 save percentage in 11 games this season. … Blues winger Alexander Steen has four goals and eight points over the past five games.

Injury report: Sharks forwards Andrew Desjardins (flu-like symptoms) and James Sheppard (lower body) are on injured reserve. … Blues winger Jamie Langenbrunner (hip) is out for the season.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 8:39 am
by glen a richter
Sharks 6
Blues 1

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:05 am
by STLADOGG
I'm finally going to be able to watch this game live, the first one in like 5 games.
Blues:0
Sharks: 7

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:12 am
by cprice12
I think we win tonight and re-establish home dominance. We are only 3-3-2 at home so far. We're better than that.
If we win tonight and the Canucks beat Chicago in regulation, we're only 6 pts. out of first place with a game in hand. Not bad considering Chicago hasn't had a regulation loss yet.

I think Chicago loses tonight. They're due.

Either way, if we win, depending how other games pan out, we will:

- Increase lead over San Jose
and...
- Gain ground on Chicago if Vancouver wins
- Increase lead over Vancouver if Chicago wins
- Increase lead over Detroit or Nashville depending on who wins that game.

It would be nice to have a 5 pt. lead over 9th place Detroit after all is said and done tonight.

What's crazy about Chicago, is that they played 10 of their first 12 games on the road...and they went 8-0-2 in those road games. :shock:
It would be nice if Chicago could lose a couple between now and the 28th and we go on a nice run, and that Feb. 28th game be for 1st place.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:57 am
by sseagle
Well if we do lose, it's cause our barn will be empty. Oh and it will be 187% Elliott's fault too.

Gameplan:
1) hit people
2) piss on the sharks to assert dominance
3) backes + goalie + ??? = profit
4) keep someone low to shovel shit, work the rebounds
5) rocking ass building = victory
6) no lazy ass play (kinky) no thinking about racing the sharks to the airport after the game, not one second(to the players) about colonrodhole tomorrow.
7) manifest destiny
8) the ghost of Dan Kelly
9) here comes chevaldae!
10) I like pie
11) bounce-back-ability, remember that quick return goals are a product of not getting down after getting scored on
12) December
13) that's me! Flashchat!!

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 11:12 am
by theohall
Don't be complacent because the Sharks are on a losing streak. In January, they went 7-0 and lots of talk was about how strong their top two lines were performing. For awhile, the Sharks top line was leading the league in scoring. Blues need to have the Backes line doing their 5-on-5 defensive thing against the Sharks top line they did to start the season against other top lines. That happens and the Blues win.

1) Shut down Thornton and Marleau with the Backes line.
2) Have Sobotka - whichever line he is on - mess with Pavelski/Couture - or mess with both alternating
3) Get Tarasenko going again.
4) Profit!!!

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 11:19 am
by theohall
We might want to just chalk this one up as a loss.

Blues, stuck in Vancouver airport for hours, get home morning of game

Hope not, though.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 2:21 pm
by ibldbl
Sharks - 3
Blues - 2

Already made their excuse to suck tonight.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 3:00 pm
by Oaklandblue
Screw Halak, Ride The Snake!!! Start Jake tonight, he deserves it!

We take the Teal to the cleaners tonight. Someone PLEASE open the Polak Door :D

Good Guys 4
San Hoe 0

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 3:10 pm
by sseagle
Jake Plissken!!

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:00 pm
by Nyghtewynd
I think we'll tell early on if this is going to be a game after that travel snafu. If Reaves clocks someone, and the team responds, we're in it.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:33 pm
by Oaklandblue
When the opposition team's head coach is rallying his troops around the fact that your boys have only 12 hours of rest before the game and makes it public, you KNOW they're afraid of you!!

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 7:38 pm
by APOD
Image

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:40 pm
by Nyghtewynd
Bad loss from a lifeless performance after the first. It will be compounded if you lose at a bad Colorado team. Five home losses in a row.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:50 pm
by WaukeeBlues
The boys just looked tired by the 3rd period. I know the announcers were harping on it and I don't think it was as bad as they were making it sound but the 'Note were definitely losing foot races that they don't normally lose.

Bad goal by Allen to give up there to give SJS the lead and, ultimately, game, followed up by two amazing saves in tight against Clowe and Handzus that had every right to be goals.

Another phenomenal game by Stewart; played fantastic.

Still an utter joy watching Tarasenko play hockey. This kid is just SMOOTH; skating, puck handling, flowing with the play, all of it.

Oshie isn't a terrible fighter. Not great. Not bad. Meh. The timing was good anyway.

Love me some Sobotka. Sick play to get the pass to Bergie for the finish and the kid is just a grinder from hell if you're playing against him. Glad he's wearing the 'Note.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 8:54 am
by gaijin
I didn't get to watch the game very closely, but it looked to me like we controlled play most of the time, we just couldn't bury our chances. Then a fluke goal late in the 3rd seals it.

Say what you will about the effects of the flight delay, but to my eye it seemed to be one of the fastest-paced 3rd periods we've played all year.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 9:00 am
by APOD
WaukeeBlues wrote:Bad goal by Allen to give up there to give SJS the lead and, ultimately, game, followed up by two amazing saves in tight against Clowe and Handzus that had every right to be goals.
I think both goals were bad goals on Allen, he could of had that first one if he was a little tighter in the net, he was out front of the crease and he slides around a lot, if he was set back in the net a little more he would of had that rebound. second goal was soft all on Allen but being tired will do that too ya.

Overall I am completely impressed by Allen over these last 4 games its nice to know we have a fall back goalie when ours are not playing so hot. Looking forward to seeing him in the big leagues in the next few years.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 9:21 am
by sseagle
Both goals were Elliott's fault.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 9:44 am
by tjk002
APOD wrote:
WaukeeBlues wrote:Bad goal by Allen to give up there to give SJS the lead and, ultimately, game, followed up by two amazing saves in tight against Clowe and Handzus that had every right to be goals.
I think both goals were bad goals on Allen, he could of had that first one if he was a little tighter in the net, he was out front of the crease and he slides around a lot, if he was set back in the net a little more he would of had that rebound. second goal was soft all on Allen but being tired will do that too ya.

Overall I am completely impressed by Allen over these last 4 games its nice to know we have a fall back goalie when ours are not playing so hot. Looking forward to seeing him in the big leagues in the next few years.
I lay the blame for the first goal on Jackman. He had ample opportunity to clear the puck the out of the zone. Jacked around with the puck in the corner, then coughs up a turnover. Guy is brutal with the puck. The Blue's defense (i.e. the players, not the overall defensive play) just look awful this year. Pie just seems to wif on alot of plays in his own zone, Redman looks slow, Jackman looks old and slow. and whats really scary is the Russell can't get in the lineup, in front of either of these guys.

Re: GDT #16: 2/19/13 > Blues vs Sharks > 7:00 PM > NBCSN/KMO

Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:23 pm
by theohall
APOD wrote:I think both goals were bad goals on Allen, he could of had that first one if he was a little tighter in the net, he was out front of the crease and he slides around a lot,
Playing high in the crease is what has helped Allen lots. The Blues netminders are being coached to play higher in the crease. One of Elliott's issues was playing too deep in his net during that streak. Playing high in the crease creates more dividends than negatives particularly when the goalie controls his rebounds well and has the defense getting back to protect the sides of the net - like the Blues usually do. How in the heck is a Shark left alone immediately to the side of Allen when he coughs up that rebound? Combination of faults - bad rebound by Allen and bad coverage by the Blues D - all after the early failure to move the puck out of the zone.

One other advantage to playing high. If the goalie feels the puck hit him and senses it is going through, he at least has time to attempt to find the puck - even behind him and cover it. Playing deep - the puck goes through the goalie at all - and there isn't any time to make a potential recovery from letting it through being too close to the goal line.

Yes, there are times goalies should be deep in their crease and against their post. That first goal was not one of those cases considering where the shot came from. Playing deep on a shot like that is asking to let the puck in one of the corners.

Last goal - clearly on Allen.