The San Jose Sharks are one win away from returning the Western Conference Finals for the second time in four seasons. Thanks to a pair of Tomas Hertl goals and 21 saves from Martin Jones, the Sharks skated away with a 2-1 win and 3-2 series lead in front a lively Tank crowd.

San Jose did so many good things in that game, including scoring a power-play goal and holding the Avs top line AND Nathan MacKinnon off the scoresheet. That's a win by itself.

The Sharks outworked the Avs in many avenues and it showed. San Jose was relentless on their puck pursuit which resulted in plenty of offensive zone time (54.35%CF) and a robust 39 to 22 shot advantage.

Philipp Grubauer was phenomenal again. The German-born goalie followed up his 32 save shutout with another gem. In fact, both goalies were sensational. They each put on a show for the fans in the building and at home.

Jones stopped 21 shots, including 10 high danger opportunities - seven of those came in the first period. Colorado scored the games first goal and it could have been much worse, but Marty was really freaking good. The Sharks netminder has so much confidence right now and it's translating into W's. I don't want to say he's peaking, but his trajectory is definitely heading skyward.

Hertl scored his 7th and 8th goals of playoffs and his first two of this series. The 25-year-old snapped out of his slump at the perfect time. If he gets going again it's going to be lights out for the Avs.

Plenty of good happened for the Sharks, but perhaps none bigger than the inspirational appearance of San Jose captain Joe Pavelski in the third period. Pavelski popped out of a tunnel waving a towel for the fans. The Tank erupted. That was all the motivation San Jose needed to hold off Colorado's late push.

Pavelski is skating again and could return soon - maybe game 6? He's missed the last five games since suffering a gnarly injury in Game 7 of the first round.



*Chills*

In the first round, it was the Sharks that went on a streak to stave off elimination. The tables are turned now. Can San Jose put this series to rest on Monday and get themselves some much-needed rest? Or do they let another chance slip away and hand us another bout of game 7 anxiety?

Thanks for reading,
Steve

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