GDT #18: Blues vs Sharks | 6:00 pm CT | FSMW, 101 ESPN

[theohall]

San Jose Sharks (6-7-2, eighth in the West Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (10-5-2, first in the West Division)

St. Louis; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: St. Louis hosts the San Jose Sharks after the Blues defeated San Jose 3-2 in overtime.

The Blues are 10-5-2 against the rest of their division. St. Louis ranks seventh in the Nhl with 30.5 shots per game and is averaging 3.2 goals.

The Sharks are 6-7-2 against the rest of their division. San Jose has converted on 16.7% of power-play opportunities, scoring eight power-play goals.

The teams square off for the second game in a row.

TOP PERFORMERS: Justin Faulk leads the Blues with a plus-16 in 17 games this season. Mike Hoffman has five goals and five assists over the last 10 games for St. Louis.

Logan Couture leads the Sharks with 13 points, scoring seven goals and adding six assists. Ryan Donato has two goals and five assists over the last 10 games for San Jose.

LAST 10 GAMES: Blues: 6-3-1, averaging 3.3 goals, 5.8 assists, 3.6 penalties and 8.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.1 goals per game with a .922 save percentage.

Sharks: 4-4-2, averaging 2.4 goals, 3.9 assists, 4.6 penalties and 9.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game with an .896 save percentage.

INJURIES: Blues: Colton Parayko: out (undisclosed), Jaden Schwartz: day to day (lower body), Robert Thomas: out (thumb), Ivan Barbashev: day to day (lower body).

Sharks: Maxim Letunov: out (health protocols), Erik Karlsson: out (groin).

[theohall]

Nice to see Krug and Hoffman have settled into the Blues system and are producing like they've done in the past. With the injuries to the forwards and Parayko, their contribution is absolutely needed.

[gaijin]

I love to beat the Sharks. Let's do it again today. They were perennial Western Conference contenders until the Blues eliminated them in 2019. After that, it seems they dropped down a tier or two.

The Blues' offense needs to find a groove- they have not been moving the puck well in the offensive zone. I'm guessing that's because Schwartz and Thomas are out.

[Robb_K]

Awful pass attempt by Sanford, who has made about 3-4 poor passes that lost possession, already in this game.

[Robb_K]

Bad playing, and bad luck added together has got The Blues down 2-0. They had better get into the game and score the next goal.

[Robb_K]

Yet ANOTHER terrible 1st Period! The Blues better come out skating and score early and often, or you can pack this game up and hand it to The Sharks. The Blues looked like they're mailing this one in, not skating, sending weak passes a few feet away, to no one, and The Sharks are pouncing on them. It's sad to see Walman playing the wing, because of so many injuries to forwards.

[Robb_K]

Beautiful pass from Kyrou behind the net to Schenn for the easy goal! Blues cut the lead down to 2!!!!

[Robb_K]

Krug hits a blast which looks like Sanford redirected it in. Yes! Blues back within 2!!!

[Robb_K]

O'Reilly scores on a wrister after a great feed by Hoffman!!! Blues trail by only 1!!!!

[Robb_K]

Kyrou shoots it in on a quick shot off the rush!!!! Blues tie it at 4!!!! And they go on the PP!!!

[Robb_K]

Weird period by The Blues - lousy early, and great near the end. They'll have most of a Power Play left to start The 3rd. hey need to come out skating the same way they finished the 2nd, at the beginning of The 3rd. This should be their 8th comeback win out of 11 wins this season.

[Robb_K]

A disappointing loss after The Blues had come back from 3 down to tie it up, and had all the momentum. But they failed on The Power Play several times, after scoring 2 PP goals the game before. But they are 10-6 during a devastating period of injuries. So, I can't complain too much. Krug is finally getting integrated into the offence and defence. Gunnarsson looks significantly worse than last season. I hope to see Mikkola playing a LOT when he returns, and Gunnar sitting a lot more.

[theohall]

Seems like the injuries are finally catching up. Missing 6 of your normal starting 12 forwards is an issue.