San Jose is off to their best-ever start in the Western Conference finals after knotting up this series at one in Game 2.
The San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues are now two games into their Western Conference finals matchup, with each team notching a victory at the Scottrade Center.
With the series now shifting back to the Shark Tank for games three and four, here are five observations from the first two contests:
1. Sharks Have Been The Better Team
It’s been obvious through the first two games that San Jose has done a much better job of establishing their game.
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Team teal has frustrated the Blues throughout the early going, including a dominating performance in Game 2. The Sharks are doing a very good job of breaking the puck out of their own zone and getting in on the forecheck.
If not for an unfortunate turnover and soft goal in Game 1, team teal could very easily hold a 2-0 series advantage. Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock admitted as much:
Hitch: We are fortunate that it's 1-1.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) May 18, 2016
2. Special Teams
In each of the first two games, whichever team has won the special teams battle has emerged victorious at the end. The Blues received a David Backes deflection in front in Game 1, while Brent Burns fired in a pair of one-timers with the man advantage in Game 2.
San Jose was tremendous on the penalty-kill in their Game 2 victory, killing off all six opportunities against including a double-minor to begin the third.
With each team possessing potent power-plays, a major key will be staying out of the box on both sides.
Discounting the Dainius Zubrus empty-net tally, there’s been only three goals, two by the Sharks, scored at even-strength thus far. Neither team is offering much in the way of quality scoring chances at 5-on-5 which heightens the spotlight on the power-plays which might decide this series.
3. Vladimir Tarasenko Is Really Good
While he’s yet to find the back of the net in either game, it’s clear why Tarasenko is one of the elite goalscorers in the NHL as he’s always around the puck.
He nearly scored a beautiful goal just seconds before Tommy Wingels opened the scoring in Game 2 by stripping the puck from Paul Martin and firing an in close chance that Martin Jones stopped.
Tarasenko possesses the size and speed to create problems for any team and is similar to Burns in that he will fire pucks on net from any and all areas of the ice.
He’s recorded eight shots on goal thus far, including six alone in Game 2, and has been the Blues best forward. The Sharks will have to continue to key in on Tarasenko whenever he’s got the puck to take away any time or space.
4. Sharks Speed Causing Problems
Heading into this series, there was one clear advantage for San Jose and that was their speed. The Sharks are a quicker team than the Blues, who like to play a more bruising-style of hockey, similar to the Kings.
Thus far, team teal has been able to match the physicality and strength of St. Louis along the boards. Also, the Sharks have used their foot-speed to create turnovers as the Blues try to exit their own zone.
On multiple occasions throughout the first two contests, St. Louis has been hemmed in their own zone after giving the puck away at their own blue line. San Jose has been relentless in hunting the puck and has done a good job of having numbers back to help slow down the Blues attack.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN discussed how team teal’s speed is disrupting this St. Louis team.
Next: Sharks Handle Blues With Ease In Game 2
5. Both Goaltenders Tough To Beat
Jones and Brian Elliott have lived up to the billing as both have been stout between the pipes. If not for Elliott’s heroics in Game 1, where he stopped 31 Sharks attempts, San Jose would easily be up by two in this series. Elliott has maintained his regular season pace with a 2.26 GAA and a .929 save percentage in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Jones bounced back after allowing a soft goal that proved to be the game-winning tally in the opener. He was rock solid in Game 2 (26 saves) recording his second playoff shutout, with each of them coming in his last three outings. Jones has elevated his game this postseason with a 2.01 GAA and a .923 save percentage.