Conference Quarterfinals: #2 St. Louis Blues vs. #7 San Jose Sharks

[JKidd]

Records:
St Louis: 49-22-11 (109 points) Home: 30-6-5 Away: 19-16-6
San Jose: 43-29-10 (96 points) Home: 26-12-3 Away: 17-17-7

Head to Head:
Oct 15th: Blues 4 / Sharks 2
Dec 10th: Blues 1 / Sharks 0
Feb 12th: Blues 3 / Sharks 0
Mar 3rd: Blues 3 / Sharks 1
Blues swept season series, 4-0.

Fights:
None

Lineup:
Goaltending: win St. Louis
Scoring: Edge San Jose
Defense: win St. Louis
Coaching: win St. Louis
Grit: edge St. Louis

Schedule:
Thu, Apr 12 in St. Louis 7:30PM ET
Sat, Apr 14 in St. Louis 7:30PM ET
Mon, Apr 16 in San Jose 10:00PM ET
Thu, Apr 19 in San Jose 10:30PM ET
*Sat, Apr 21 in St. Louis 7:30PM ET
*Mon, Apr 23 in San Jose TBA
*Wed, Apr 25 in St. Louis TBA

Prediction:
Both teams are entering the playoffs on roles. The Sharks had to fight their way in, winning 4 in a row. The Blues backed into the playoffs, losing 4 of their last 5. Both teams are relatively healthy, and this should become a physical, war of attrition with both teams playing a physical, big game. The key differences, the Blues don’t give up goals and can put the puck in the net. It should be a fun one, but the depth, home ice advantage for St. Louis and the fact they have two goaltenders (one playoff battle proven) that can catch fire and carry them on lead me to take St. Louis, in 6 games.

[Isles4life]

This is another case of a strong team, the Blues, who have a first-round opponent they can't be all that thrilled with having to face. St. Louis has been a great story all year, but most of their key players (with the noteworthy exception of Halak in goal) don't have much in the way of postseason experience. I've said before that I think they'll be in tough when they have to face teams like Vancouver or Detroit who are very talented and have had a lot of recent postseason success. But San Jose, even if they've typically disappointed in the playoffs, still has a ton more in the way of experience once the games really matter.

The Sharks did not have a good year, but managed to sneak in, and with their level of talent, no one should consider them an easy opponent by any means. I see the Sharks taking this one to the limit, but the Blues finding a way to prevail in 7 games.

[I_am_Belak_2]

All comes down to coaching and goaltending.

Blues in 5.

[Broons66]

Tight series,goaltending rules! Blues in 6!

[Wadubbin]

I'm going to go Sharks in 7...This will be my upset special of the first round...

[youthattack]

Sharks always choke. Blues in 5.

[thruby]

Blues in 6 (maybe 5).

[ScottRasner]

Sharks in 6.

[theknuckler]

blues in 4... 5 games max. I will be shocked if it goes more than 5.

[canuck2]

I like the Sharks. Lot of Blues players havent tasted the post season.

[HordiBrusk29]

Despite the seedings I really believe this series is a toss up. Part of me feels the Sharks will win but on the other hand goaltending and Hitchcock's suffocating style of coaching is crucial come playoff time. So I'm going with the Blues. I think this series could go the distance.

[CubsJunkie]

You can make a case for either team, but I think the Blues have better goaltending. Blues in 7 in hopefully a hard fought, intense matchup.

[fcm]

Originally Posted by youthattack

Sharks always choke. Blues in 5.

Not in the 1st round. They choke in conference finals.

Sharks in 7.

[ProbieRules]

SJ is playing well right now and I feel STL is a bit overrated. Should be a hard fought close series. Joe Thornton leads the Sharks to an upset victory in 7 games.

[mike56]

first round upset,sharks in 6.