"We weren't good enough."
NHL playoff scores 2016: Blues fail to fix mistakes as Sharks prevail in Game 2
St. Louis must change to survive.
Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
That was the refrain echoing throughout the St. Louis Blues' camp immediately after their win over the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. Patrik Berglund went so far as calling it the worst they've played in the playoffs so far. Kevin Shattenkirk told NBCSN minutes before Game 2 that the Blues needed to play tighter defensively than they did when they took a 1-0 series lead.
If they hated their game two days ago, the Blues have to be miserable about their effort in Game 2, a 4-0 shutout loss to the Sharks at home ice to even the series again at 1-1.
Those defensive mistakes? Compounded. One of the hallmarks of Game 1 was that the Blues capitalized on their chances and kept the Sharks' lethal power play from working or getting opportunities. One game later, St. Louis was letting the Sharks outskate them, shut down their own power play (an 0-for-6 showing) and frustrate them into taking bad penalties that re-ignited San Jose's power play again.
After the game, Blues coach Ken Hitchcock lamented that his team fed the Sharks' engine with mistakes in Game 2. He's not wrong, and the Western Conference Final is suddenly shifting momentum because of it.
Scores
Sharks 4, Blues 0 (Series tied, 1-1)
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3 things we learned
1. Martin Jones keeps justifying his acquisition
The Sharks had a chance to obtain one of two unproven goalies last summer in Cam Talbot and Martin Jones. They seem to have made the right choice. With his team staking him to an early lead, Jones shut the Blues down the rest of the way for 26 saves and his first career playoff shutout. He had a decent regular season, but he's more than earned loyalties with this postseason run.
2. Brent Burns was a factor again
The bearded Sharks defenseman was the best player on the ice for Game 2. He scored twice, finished with a higher Corsi for percentage than any other defenseman and made the Blues look helpless on the power play. The Norris Trophy candidate is gearing up for a Conn Smythe, as well.
3. Mike Milbury has a bad sense of humor
At least, I hope he was kidding when he suggested that, as a coach, he’d be upset if his player’s slashing or boarding penalty didn’t result in broken bones or a concussion.
Here's the full Milbury thing. In context it seems like he just made a very bad analogy and didn't mean it. pic.twitter.com/ZtuFUZunUs
— pat iversen (@Pat_Iversen) May 18, 2016
Impact Moments
When San Jose’s power play reawakened, the game (and the series) shifted.
Burns goal pic.twitter.com/vIl8737sJW
— Stephanie (@myregularface) May 18, 2016
Burns x2 pic.twitter.com/FgLlT9rIC9
— Stephanie (@myregularface) May 18, 2016
Tweets from Tony
Remember Tony, AKA @soloucity on Twitter, who fell in love with hockey during the Blues/Blackhawks Game 7? We're dedicating a section in our recaps to the gems of his Twitter account during the playoffs.
— Tony X. (@soIoucity) May 18, 2016
I mean, he didn’t deny it.
Stat of the Night
Burns is 2nd d-man in #StanleyCup Playoffs history w/ two multi-goal games on road in a single playoff year (Potvin: 2 in 1975) @EliasSports
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 18, 2016
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