GDT #21: Blues @ Sharks | 9:30 pm CT | FSMW, 101 ESPN

[theohall]

TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES With a handful of significant injuries, the St. Louis Blues are finding it difficult to score goals.

In a two-game set with the Los Angeles Kings, the Blues registered just one goal in six periods, and the only goal came from Oskar Sundqvist late in the third period in the second game.

"I'm sure it wears on them. It wears on everybody," Blues Head Coach Craig Berube said of the offensive struggles. "You tend to start squeezing your stick. You end up trying to do too much, which isn't a good thing. It takes away the skill players' composure and relaxation out there when they're playing. It does, it wears on guys.

"We did a lot of good things (Wednesday against the Kings)," Berube added. "Obviously we're having trouble scoring goals, but it's not like we're not creating opportunities and chances. We are. I thought our team worked hard tonight… We're going through some adversity right now, but it's going to make us a better team down the road."

With the lack of offense, the Blues have lost three straight games in regulation.

St. Louis is beginning a six-game road trip to the West Coast that starts in San Jose, will continue to Anaheim and Los Angeles before concluding with another game against the Sharks.

SHARKS San Jose's most recent game, scheduled for Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, was postponed after Sharks forward Tomas Hertl was placed in the League's COVID protocol.

Because there were no additional positive tests, the Sharks were cleared to return to practice Friday and are expected to meet the Blues as scheduled on Saturday night.

San Jose (7-8-2) has played just three home games at SAP Center this season. The first 12 games were played on the road due to COVID-19 protocols in California. In those three home games, the Sharks are 1-2-0.

San Jose's most recent outing was Monday against the Minnesota Wild. Brent Burns and Logan Couture scored the only goals for San Jose in a 6-2 loss.

MATCHUP NOTES The Blues are 7-1-1 in their last nine games against the Sharks (including the postseason)… Over the last three matchups, the Blues penalty kill is a perfect 8-for-8… Jordan Binnington is 7-3-1 in his career against San Jose with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .910 save-percentage.



THE SERIES SO FAR
Jan. 18: Blues 5, Sharks 4
Justin Faulk scored two goals, Mike Hoffman netted his first as a Blue and Jordan Kyrou broke a 4-4 tie in the third period with his second game-winning goal of the season.

Jan. 20: Sharks 2, Blues 1 (SO)
Martin Jones made 22 saves and four more in a shootout to help the Sharks to a 2-1 win against the Blues at Enterprise Center. Brayden Schenn scored the Blues' only goal, while Jordan Binnington made 37 saves.

Feb. 18: Blues 3, Sharks 2 (OT)
Brayden Schenn scored with 39.2 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and David Perron ended the game with an overtime game-winner with one minute left. It was Perron's sixth overtime goal as a Blue. Jordan Binnington made 30 saves.

Feb. 20: Sharks 5, Blues 4
The Blues trailed 3-0 early in the second period and stormed back with four goals, one each from Brayden Schenn, Zach Sanford, Ryan O'Reilly and Jordan Kyrou, to even the score after 40 minutes. But in the third period, Logan Couture scored his second of the game to seal a 5-4 victory for San Jose at Enterprise Center.


BLUE NOTES
Jordan Binnington will become the 18th goaltender in Blues history to play in 100 games with the organization in his next appearance. Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, Binnington ranks seventh overall in the League with 62 wins (regular season), third with a 2.33 goals-against average and 10th in save percentage (.927).

[gaijin]

Need a win to keep pace in the West.

This I command.

[Robb_K]

Where was Mikkola trying to put the puck???? 4 weird things had to happen to start the game behind with just 17 seconds gone!

[Robb_K]

Scandella sends a blast from The Blue line past Dubnyk!!!! Blues tie it up at 1!!! Finally Scandella scores his 1st as a Blue!!!

[Robb_K]

Terrible 1st Period for The Blues. They're lucky to be behind by only one. For a "possession" team, they are lousy at possessing the puck, and passing it to teammates. I hope they get a lot better in The 2nd.

[Robb_K]

Sammy Blais backhands it by Dubnyk!!!! Blues tie it at 2!!!

[Robb_K]

Great save by Binnington at point-blank range on Donato!!!

[Robb_K]

The Blues had better start getting better on The PK. They also need to take less unnecessary penalties.

Schenn buries on the short side after a fine feed by Perron!!! Blues tie it at 3!!!!

[Robb_K]

Sanford jams the puck in by Dubnyk, after Kyrou was robbed after skating in behind him on the rush before! Blues tie it at 4!!!

[Robb_K]

Husso has been making great saves since he came in!

[Robb_K]

A really sloppy game by both teams. The Blues are lucky to be tied, and need to kill off a penalty at the start of The 3rd, but they should be able to win this game.

[Robb_K]

Maceachern scores the shorty on a 2-on one!!!! Blues take a 5-4 lead!!!!

[Robb_K]

Just as I'm starting to type a complaining post about not being able to enjoy the lead for more than a few seconds, O'Reilly scores!! What a crazy game. And as I type THIS, The Sharks tie it up, and we only enjoy the 2nd lead for a few seconds. There's NO justice in The World. And just as i type THIS....The Blues (Scandella) score AGAIN!!! Blues lead 7-6!!!!

I'm a terribly slow typist! I thought I'd NEVER finish typing this post!

[Robb_K]

Well! Well! The Blues actually win this weird game! 2 points is 2 points! I'll take it!

[gaijin]

Crazy game all around. Glad to get two regulation points.

[Robb_K]

My own personal GDT! I feel honoured!

[Robb_K]

Need a win to keep pace in the West.

This I command.

Ask and you shall receive. But it was far from easy. Probably The Blues ugliest win, ever!