Blues at Sharks Preview: Wrapping up the road trip

If you look at the Blues’ road trip to California which started on February 27th from a strict points perspective, there isn’t anything to complain about. The Blues are 4-0-1 so far, getting nine out of a possible ten points before their second bookend game against the San Jose Sharks tonight. Saturday night marked the return of Vladimir Tarasenko, who hadn’t played a regular season game since October of 2019, and while he didn’t score he very nearly did in overtime. He had a shot on goal on his first shift in the game. Vladi’s happy to be back.

The San Jose Sharks are probably not happy that Tarasenko’s back, considering they allowed seven Blues goals in the loss to start the road trip. On the other hand, they scored six against the Blues, so maybe they’re looking forward toward a rematch. I’m sure the next round in the Evander Kane/Jordan Binnington war of attrition will be thrilling.

The Blues credited Binnington’s mid-ice meltdown with sparking their comeback, but let’s just hope such theatrics are unnecessary tonight. If David Perron, who has eight points in the last six games, decides to put the team on his back yet again, any theatrics may have to wait until the Vegas Golden Knights come to town on Friday night.

The Blues have a very rare extended three day break between games after tonight’s. Being able to buy time so more of the injured reserve can heal up is never a bad thing.

Every game between the Blues and the Sharks this season have been decided by one goal, with the Blues owning a 3-2 lead so far in the season series.