In case you’ve successfully managed to scrub your memory (Eternal Sunshine of the Sharkless Mind would probably make a pretty good entry in the next Photoshop contest), the Sharks didn’t do so well against St. Louis last year. Sure, they dropped all four regular season games against the Blues, scoring just three goals combined in those contests. But that was nothing compared to the systematic dismantling they endured at the hands of David Backes, Alex Pietrangelo and Ken Hitchcock in the playoffs, where the Sharks were dealt their quickest postseason exit in franchise history.
They’ll return to the scene of the crime this afternoon in a game that’s significant for larger reasons than just revenge. The Sharks need a win. Hell, multiple wins would be preferable. They’ve lost seven games in a row and while they haven’t played as terribly as that streak suggests, a victory against one of the best teams in the NHL would probably go a long way to righting this ship. I don’t think it’s overstating things to call this the biggest game of the season. Go Sharks.
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7-4-3, 17 points |
9-5-1, 19 points | |
7th in Western Conference | 4th in Western Conference |
5PM PST | Scottrade Center | St. Louis, Missouri
TV: CSNCA-HD, NBCSN | Radio: 98.5 KFOX, SJSharks.com
Know Your Enemy: St. Louis Game Time
Projected Sharks Lineup
Patrick Marleau – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Ryane Clowe – Logan Couture – Martin Havlat
Tim Kennedy – Michal Handzus – Tommy Wingels
Matt Pelech – Andrew Desjardins – Adam Burish
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Brent Burns
Brad Stuart – Dan Boyle
Douglas Murray – Justin Braun
Projected Blues Lineup
David Perron – David Backes – T.J. Oshie
Andy McDonald – Alexander Steen – Vladimir Tarasenko
Vladimir Sobotka – Patrik Berglund – Chris Stewart
Jaden Schwartz – Scott Nichol – Ryan Reaves
Ian Cole – Alex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman – Kevin Shattenkirk
Kris Russell – Roman Polak