The San Jose Sharks can advance to the franchises first Stanley Cup Final tonight at the Shark Tank. Standing in their way are a very confident and resilient St. Louis Blues team.
The Sharks used a strong effort in game 5 to get this opportunity. Now they have to finish the job and don't let it get to a win-or-go-home game 7.
At this point there is not much they can do but deliver. San Jose, led by captain Joe Pavelski, has proven themselves as a mentally tough group. Nothing has fazed them during this playoff run and I don't expect tonight to be any different.
It's the closest the team has ever been to playing for Lord Stanley's Cup. That may seem like it's a whole lotta pressure, but not for this team. Not this year.
No lineup changes for the Sharks. It's shut up and win time.
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The Blues are going back to Brian Elliot in an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle for a second time in this series. Ken Hitchcock made the switch to Jake Allen in Game 4 following back-to-back shutouts by the Sharks in games 2 and 3. Allen was excellent. He delivered an epic road win and the Blues tied the series up. Hitch is hoping for more of the same tonight.
Elliott has played most of the Blues games and is 9-8 with a 2.34 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. Allen went 1-1 with a 2.49 GAA and .897 save percentage in his two starts in this series.
This is nothing new for the Blues. Hitch never shy's away from making changes. It's the Blues identity and it works for them.
Tonight marks the third time in this playoff year the Blues have faced elimination. In the two previous rounds, St. Louis lost game 6 and won game 7 to advance. Can they win to save their season again? (I really hope not. My heart can't take another game 7)
If St. Louis wins Game 7 of this series would be Friday at Scottrade.
The Sharks have faced elimination once...in game 7 against the Preds and they went all beast mode in that game.
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San Jose will look to Martin Jones to be...well, Martin Jones. We know this team can score goals and in bunches. They are averaging 3.41 goals a game in their 17 playoff games. That's easily tops among playoff teams. (FYI, the 4 teams remaining rank 1-4 in goals scored per game)
DOn't be fooled though. The Sharks are not a one-trick pony. Their knack for scoring goals is not they only skill that has them on the brink of history.
Nope, they are stingy with goals allowed too. San Jose has allowed the third fewest goals (2.29) in the playoffs and the fewest among the four teams left.
That is a testament the Sharks commitment to team defense and sacrificing the body, but it also speaks volumes about Jones.
The major question mark for San Jose going into the season and the playoffs was Martin Jones. Besides a shaky game 4 loss in which he was pulled following 4 goals against, he has been a rock in net. The Sharks have made it a point to let that be known too.
Jones is 11-6 with a 2.13 GAA and .918 save percentage. He also has three shutouts, including one in a high-pressure game 7. He's been money and if he is on tonight the Sharks will the game. Simple as that.
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Think about the curious career of Pete Deboer.
Deboer has coached three different NHL teams in 8 years behind the bench (FLA, NJ, SJS).
He's only been to the playoffs TWICE and 2015-16 in the SECOND! Deboer's first time coaching in the playoffs resulted in a Stanley Cup Final appearance by an overachieving New Jersey Devils team.
He is now one win away from getting back to the SCF, only this time it will be with a team from the Western Conference.
Has there every been a coach that's made the SCF finals in his first two playoff appearance with teams from two different conferences? I don't have anything to back this up, but I have to think this is an NHL first.
Is he a mad genius or a lucky duck?
And in case you believe in destiny....this happened 4 years ago TODAY in game 6 at home in the conference final!
If the Sharks win the series Millen will make a donation to the hydroassoc.org, whose mission is to connect individuals to larger communities that can provide support and understanding, to educate national and state policymakers, the medical community, and the general population, and to advance treatment and eventually find a cure for Hydrocephalus.
And if the Blues win, I have agreed to make a donation to Covenant House Missouri whose mission is to empower youth who are disconnected to design their own path from homelessness to opportunity.
Thanks for reading, Steve Follow me on Twitter: @Faultlinehockey