Re: GDT WCF Gm 2: 5/13/19 | 8 PM CT | @ Sharks | NBCSN

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Mon May 13, 2019 8:13 am

As well as the San Jose Sharks performed in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the St. Louis Blues were at the other end of the pendulum.

Porous defensive plays, lack of cohesiveness and -- most noticeable -- a litany of turnovers by the Blues all factored into the Sharks' 6-3 victory in Saturday night's clash.

Rest assured, while the Sharks are confident heading into Game 2 of the best-of-seven series Monday in San Jose, Calif., the Blues intend to be better.

Much, much better.

"It's over. Just throw it out. There's nothing you can do about it," Blues forward Patrick Maroon said after Sunday's practice. "You're gonna have bad games, teams are gonna play good. It was costly turnovers they capitalized on. We've found ways to fix our game and elevate our game."

Not that he would have needed an in-depth video session to find what hurt his team most, but after reflecting on the series-opening loss, Blues coach Craig Berube had no trouble pinpointing why St. Louis was outclassed in the opener.

"It was all self-inflicted," Berube said. "They do a good job, that team, they hound pucks and are tight on you, but it was self-inflicted on our part, turning pucks over at bad times."

Turnovers caused by a wicked combination of bad decisions and too little puck support.

"They're a good team. There're a hard forechecking team, surround the puck with numbers. If you don't have numbers in there, you're gonna turn the puck over," Berube said. "We didn't have the puck enough and when we did have it, we gave it back to them too easily."

What remains to be seen is whether the Blues can elevate their game enough to compete with the Sharks, who look to be in full attack mode these days. San Jose, which has won seven of nine home games in this year's Stanley Cup chase, is clicking on all cylinders.

Their forward lines are all contributing, having a healthy Marc-Edouard Vlasic allows Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns to provide an offensive attack from the defensemen, and goalie Martin Jones has been excellent after some early struggles to start the playoffs.

"It was big we got the Game 1 win," Sharks captain Joe Pavelski said in the aftermath of the win. "We'll expect them to be a little bit better and we've got to be invested in doing things the right way. You need complete games in the playoffs right now and (Saturday) was a good step in the right direction."

Curiously, the Sharks have won their series opener all three times now -- by a combined count of 16-7 -- but lost Game 2 in both their previous series.

"We'd like to go up 2-0. We know they're going to be ready, come out with a good push and their legs are going to be better," Pavelski said. "It's a lesson for us. We've got to invest early, stay with it and try to hold onto that home-ice advantage."

gaijin · Post by **gaijin** » Mon May 13, 2019 8:56 am

Don't freak out and take dumb penalties every time the Sharks cross the blue line.

And for God's sake, keep your eyes open and cover the open man cutting to the far side of the net.

glen a richter · Post by **glen a richter** » Mon May 13, 2019 9:13 am

Key to the game:

Don't suck

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Mon May 13, 2019 9:15 am

If they can manage not to turn the puck over against what is a very aggressive forecheck from San Jose, they should generate odd-man breaks behind that over-aggressive forecheck. That's the way the Sharks have played ever series. Be aggressive on the offensive side of the blueline, try to force turnovers, and so be it if they get beat being over-aggressive offensively. The Blues weren't ready for it in Game 1. We shall see if the defense can pull their collective heads out of their butts for Game 2.

gaijin · Post by **gaijin** » Mon May 13, 2019 9:40 am

glen a richter wrote:Key to the game:

Don't suck

You took the words right out of my mouth.

StL Dan · Post by **StL Dan** » Mon May 13, 2019 12:41 pm

theohall wrote:If they can manage not to turn the puck over against what is a very aggressive forecheck from San Jose, they should generate odd-man breaks behind that over-aggressive forecheck. That's the way the Sharks have played ever series. Be aggressive on the offensive side of the blueline, try to force turnovers, and so be it if they get beat being over-aggressive offensively. The Blues weren't ready for it in Game 1. We shall see if the defense can pull their collective heads out of their butts for Game 2.

The Sharks are smart. They know that Winnie and Dallas had success stifling the Blues transition game/ creating turnovers with an aggressive fore check. The Blues will have to figure out counter measure quickly - the Sharks are even more skilled and will likely cash in on more opportunities than the aforementioned.

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Mon May 13, 2019 1:04 pm

The countermeasure is forwards staying tighter to the defense for easier passes in transition. The gaps weren't Oct/Nov bad in Game 1, but they were enough to allow Sharks forwards between the Blues forwards and defense. IMO, they are going to need a forward staying back with the defense to help work the puck up ice. It's not an ideal solution, because it means working harder to maintain offensive zone pressure if a forward has to skate more to get there. But the Blues can't rely on the defense alone to move the puck up ice from the defensive zone, which they did for most of Game 1. Outside of Meier shoving Pietrangelo out of the way for that 1st goal and the empty netter, the rest of the goals against were off of turnovers by defenseman trying to move the puck to someone.

theohall · Post by **theohall** » Mon May 13, 2019 1:28 pm

The Athletic article wrote:“San Jose plays a defensive structure that is based on a swarm mentality,” the No. 1 Western Conference coach said. “A lot of teams are resistant to do it because if you commit two to one guy defensively and that guy beats you, somebody is open and there’s risk attached to that. But San Jose is very adept at it, and they cover for each other pretty well. They have tremendous sticks and body position.

That defensive structure is all over the ice - not just in their defensive zone. It's what led to the "puck luck" goal when Edmundson turned it over at the Blues blueline. That's what I mean by if the Blues can beat that aggressive stance, there will be odd-man opportunities.

WaukeeBlues · Post by **WaukeeBlues** » Mon May 13, 2019 1:35 pm

theohall wrote:
The Athletic article wrote:“San Jose plays a defensive structure that is based on a swarm mentality,” the No. 1 Western Conference coach said. “A lot of teams are resistant to do it because if you commit two to one guy defensively and that guy beats you, somebody is open and there’s risk attached to that. But San Jose is very adept at it, and they cover for each other pretty well. They have tremendous sticks and body position.
That defensive structure is all over the ice - not just in their defensive zone. It's what led to the "puck luck" goal when Edmundson turned it over at the Blues blueline. That's what I mean by if the Blues can beat that aggressive stance, there will be odd-man opportunities.

And now the guys have seen it and there's no excuse. Berube said it post game: There has GOT to be puck support. In close proximity. The forwards were too far up ice, Dmen can't get the puck to them, try to force a play and bam it's in the back of our net. Forwards don't cheat on their assignments and we'll be alright.

Portland Blues · Post by **Portland Blues** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:16 pm

Man, Schwartz is having quite a run this postseason.

Portland Blues · Post by **Portland Blues** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:18 pm

Break out the gif of the guying poking something (our PP) that says "Do something."

ibldbl · Post by **ibldbl** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:23 pm

Tripping, MY ASS!

Robb_K · Post by **Robb_K** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:26 pm

The Blues seem to have their legs tonight. That, along with Schwartz's goal being first, makes it look like The Blues came to play in this one. They have already had several good chances in addition to their goal.

Robb_K · Post by **Robb_K** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:27 pm

Great kill by The Blues. The Sharks barely got to set up just once for a couple seconds.

Portland Blues · Post by **Portland Blues** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:37 pm

Our PP has to get going at some point right? Let's try now and go up by 2.

ComradeT · Post by **ComradeT** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:39 pm

I have been trying to look at officiating as awful but even but Sharks got away with hooks 5-6 times before Kane finally gets called. Unreal.

Robb_K · Post by **Robb_K** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:40 pm

Blues will be back on the power play! Let's open the lead a little!

Portland Blues · Post by **Portland Blues** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:40 pm

1 for our last 22 powerplays. Oof.

Portland Blues · Post by **Portland Blues** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:41 pm

Looks like we ran the "bag of dicks" PP again. 0 shots on that one.

ComradeT · Post by **ComradeT** » Mon May 13, 2019 7:46 pm

Portland Blues wrote:Looks like we ran the "bag of dicks" PP again. 0 shots on that one.

It was fine until Dunn broke his stick. Quick passes is what's needed to break the Shark's aggressive checking. As soon as the Blues started holding on to the puck, good bye PP.