St. Louis Game Time - San Jose Sharks At St. Louis Blues GameDay StorystreamWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2016-11-17T22:52:46-06:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/134283992016-11-17T22:52:46-06:002016-11-17T22:52:46-06:00Sharks Vs. Blues Recap: Can We Get A Refund For The Bigger Boat?
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oWEJIm80gkAcIzcjpHUb0xRhOVU=/0x0:4342x2895/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51895531/usa-today-9684419.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>No Steen? No Problem. </p> <p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> Lineup:</b></p>
<p>Forwards: <span>Jaden Schwartz</span>, <span>Paul Stastny</span>, <span>Dmitrij Jaskin</span>, <span>Robby Fabbri</span>, <span>Jori Lehtera</span>, <span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span>, <span>David Perron</span>, <span>Patrik Berglund</span>, <span>Nail Yakupov</span>, <span>Scottie Upshall</span>, <span>Kyle Brodziak</span>, <span>Ryan Reaves</span></p>
<p>Defensemen: <span>Jay Bouwmeester</span>, <span>Alex Pietrangelo</span>, <span>Carl Gunnarsson</span>, <span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span>, <span>Colton Parayko</span>, <span>Petteri Lindbohm</span></p>
<p>Goaltender: <span>Jake Allen</span></p>
<p>As mentioned in the caption, <span>Alexander Steen</span> was not in the lineup tonight. Also, <span>Robert Bortuzzo</span> was activated from IR, but did not play either.</p>
<p><b>Game Highlights:</b></p>
<p>The Blues were back at Drink Scotch to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">San Jose Sharks</a>. The Blues were coming off a 4-1 win against Buffalo Tuesday night. Meanwhile the Sharks played to a 1-0 loss to Carolina that same evening. Five minutes in, Jake Allen was already making highlight reel saves. For whatever reason, Shattenkirk thought it a good idea to fire the puck in to the middle of the ice. That was NOT a great idea however and the Sharks almost capitalized. Allen made a diving stick save to rob <span>Matt Nieto</span> and deny the Sharks the 1-0 lead.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/allens-desperation-save-on-nieto/t-277443738/c-46451703?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>The Sharks however did take a 1-0 lead after <span>Logan Couture</span> beats Allen 5 hole.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/sharks/video/embed/couture-opens-the-scoring/t-277443736/c-46452103?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Despite the Sharks playing in the Blues defensive end most of the period, the Blues tied it up. Jaden Schwartz was the beneficiary of a loose puck and took advantage. He wrists a shot past Sharks starter <span>Martin Jones</span> tying the game at 1. Alex Pietrangelo gets credit for an assist on the play after forcing the turnover.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/schwartzs-wrister-beats-jones/t-277443738/c-46452903?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Despite only having 4 shots on goal by the end of the first, the Blues managed to keep the game knotted at one.</p>
<p>The game stayed that way until 11:15 in the second period. Schwartz again managed to find the back of the net. He had a little help from the post this time, but hey whatever works. Schwartz's second goal was unassisted.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/schwartz-scores-through-traffic/t-277443738/c-46456703?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Not so fast though. Just moments later the Sharks come down the ice and score a game tying goal of their own. On a delayed penalty, <span>Kevin Labanc</span> scores his first NHL goal knotting the game at 2.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/sharks/video/embed/labanc-buries-first-career-goal/t-277443736/c-46456803?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>The go ahead goal came on the Blues powerplay. David Perron breaks the 2-2 tie with a wrist shot that beats Jones. Stastny and Fabbri notch assists on the powerplay goal.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/perron-snaps-in-wrister-for-ppg/t-277443738/c-46457503?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Martin Jones denies Schwartz the hat trick with a save in the early going of the third period.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/sharks/video/embed/jones-big-pad-save-on-schwartz/t-277443736/c-46459403?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Late in the game, with Jones on the bench, the Blues commit the garbage penalty of the NHL. Delay of game. Because why wouldn't they? The Sharks had the 6 on 4 advantage for what was a good part of a minute left in the game. The Blues penalty kill held them off. Including some fine work by Allen at the end of the game with mere seconds to go.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/allen-denies-burns-slap-shot/t-277443738/c-46462103?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>The Blues go on to win this one 3-2. A slow start, but a decent finish for the home team. Next up for the Blues, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Nashville Predators</a> on Saturday night. Remember if you're going to the game buy a Gametime paper, tip your vendor, and tell your friends!</p>
<p><b>From The Twitter Machine:</b></p>
<p>The fourth line had another good game tonight. Hitch had some comments on it:</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hithcocck on Upshall-Brodziak-Reaves line: "They're playing smart, hard, determined hockey. It's forging a good identity for us." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) <a href="https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues/status/799469747456868353">November 18, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>What scoring drought?</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Looks like the Blues may be starting to snap out of some of their funk slowly. 11 goals over the last three games isn't bad.</p>
— Laura (@hildymac) <a href="https://twitter.com/hildymac/status/799456709295112193">November 18, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>The Blues are leading the league in something...that's not good.</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Blues lead the NHL with 6 delay of game penalties this year. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>
— Frozen Notes (@FrozenNotes) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrozenNotes/status/799455866634248192">November 18, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Update on Steen:</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Steen day to day, Hitch hopeful he'll rejoin the team over the weekend.</p>
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) <a href="https://twitter.com/jprutherford/status/799462850762866688">November 18, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Postgame comments from the captain and David Perron</p>
<p>Petro:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pietrangelo: "Tonight, even when they scored that second goal, there was no panic on the bench, no panic in the room." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/qZOpObF1w9">pic.twitter.com/qZOpObF1w9</a></p>
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) <a href="https://twitter.com/FSMidwest/status/799465068815478784">November 18, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Perron:</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">David Perron is going to need some ice on that mouth, but the <a href="https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues">@StLouisBlues</a> forward was determined to get a goal tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a> <a href="https://t.co/cSBp38D6wy">pic.twitter.com/cSBp38D6wy</a></p>
— FOX Sports Midwest (@FSMidwest) <a href="https://twitter.com/FSMidwest/status/799462302260965377">November 18, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>And finally...Gametime has found itself in a Twitter Vote. Make Blues Twitter great again wont you and vote?</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pencils down everyone! Round 1 of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwitterCup?src=hash">#TwitterCup</a> is over!<br><br>Here is the updated bracket:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLBlues?src=hash">#STLBlues</a> <a href="https://t.co/3SyM6LC0I4">pic.twitter.com/3SyM6LC0I4</a></p>
— ToastDispatch (@ToastDispatch) <a href="https://twitter.com/ToastDispatch/status/799315481849012224">November 17, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Player of The Game:</b></p>
<p>Jaden Schwartz. 2 goals. All over the ice tonight. Honorable mention goes to the fourth line, who were also all over the place tonight. Hitch even admitted to using them 4 times in the third against the <span>Joe Thornton</span> line.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/11/17/13674252/sharks-vs-blues-recap-can-we-get-a-refund-for-the-bigger-boatJustin422016-11-17T18:30:01-06:002016-11-17T18:30:01-06:00GameThread for San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KCnblfyGCY0pS5TaaxaUwn9CjYE=/1x0:1825x1216/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51891335/usa-today-9680575.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Can the Blues continue their snap out of their funk?</p> <p>You ready for a rematch? You don't care either way? Awesome! You're in luck, because tonight's game should cater to both crowds.</p>
<p>Hopefully the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> continue their offensive play, because the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">Sharks</a> have hit a bit of skid in that way. They got shut out 1-0 Tuesday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a>.</p>
<p>Maybe there's hope yet!</p>
<p>This is your GameDay Thread. Comment like you'd like another four goals.</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's Go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/11/17/13671924/gamethread-for-san-jose-sharks-at-st-louis-blues-nov-17-2016hildymac2016-11-17T12:37:02-06:002016-11-17T12:37:02-06:00Life on the Road - San Jose Sharks
<figure>
<img alt="NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at San Jose Sharks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZoWZ856vVryJSdSjKfDfJ0GYPSI=/2x0:2968x1977/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51885941/usa_today_9668166.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Paul Martin loves America and Joe Thornton loves tormenting backup goalies.</p> <p id="ovpLZa"> </p>
<p id="fqD6my">Celebrating America can even be fun for Canadians. Sharks defenseman Brent Burns has become a meme superstar recently through his impassioned in-game performance of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA,” and he doesn’t even get to participate in our most sacred institutions.</p>
<div id="Z7TKBh"><div><div style="left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ppl1pcdhvpY?wmode=transparent&rel=0&autohide=1&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="BZlWIz">Depending on your perspective, last Tuesday was either the start of making America great again or the dawn of a dystopian, fascist hellscape from which there is no relief. Regardless of the outcome, however, many people get a great deal of enjoyment from the process. The act of voting in America can bring forth a surge of pride that I was excited to amplify by virtue of being in Washington DC. The San Jose Sharks were also in DC that day, and I was able to talk to native Minnesotan and Sharks defenseman Paul Martin about working his civic duty around his hockey duty.</p>
<p id="Xpco1J">“I did vote absentee from Minnesota a while ago, so I got that taken care of,” he said. “In general, our schedule is pretty set in stone. So for us…in the business, there are certain things…election day is a big deal and something you don’t see a lot, so you’re more aware of what’s going on.” </p>
<p id="kU1zdu">The Sharks seemed generally upbeat and energetic during their morning skate, with Joe Thornton in particular getting a great deal of enjoyment from the number of high shots that backup goalie Aaron Dell was forced to shrug off. This trip was one of the longest of the year for San Jose, traveling to Washington, Florida, Tampa, Carolina, St. Louis, and Arizona before returning to conclude a 16-day gap between home games. A trip of that length can be particularly strenuous, and according to Martin, a challenge from a luggage perspective.</p>
<p id="W1X3O8">“It’s a little different being on the east coast… A little different when you go from different climates, a little [colder] in DC than Florida, hit St. Louis and Arizona on the way back, so a lot of different varieties of that sort.” </p>
<p id="HM0QZe">I was particularly excited to talk to Paul, because happenstance had placed me next to his parents in the stands at Scottrade in December of 2008. He informed me that they’ve managed to hit most of the league, save for a couple places that many fans would consider exciting hockey destinations. “I think they have almost every barn taken care of besides eastern Canada with Montreal, Toronto,” he said. “Otherwise they usually make a stop somewhere different every year.” In defense of the Martins, if I lived in Minnesota, I would have a hard time working up the energy to travel somewhere even bleaker in the depths of winter.</p>
<p id="OsNkIl">Watching the Sharks at the morning skate was a fascinating window into the specifics of NHL game planning. Head coach Peter DeBoer and assistant Bob Boughner spent nearly ten full minutes walking the team through the challenges of defending specific Capitals power play combinations (Ovechkin/Backstrom and Oshie/Johansson). If you notice the Sharks cheating toward Vladimir Tarasenko on the power play, you can be sure that the game plan carried through the road trip.</p>
<p id="E2CXkI">San Jose was nearly as sharp at puck drop as they were in the morning. Martin Jones was the San Jose goaltender, which came as a shock to no one. While Aaron Dell may have had his tower buzzed at practice, he’s somewhat unlikely to repeat that experience in the evenings. In fact, at the time of the game on 8<sup>th</sup>, Dell was tied with four other goaltenders for the fewest amount of starts by a regular backup.</p>
<p id="PjTTqv">In watching Jones, I was reminded of the play of Jonathan Quick during his most dominant stretches. Quick, to me, seemed to resemble a spider. Always low and looking through the legs of players in front, he seemed preternaturally able to stretch from post to post and deny the lower half of the net. Jones displayed this skill throughout the game, thus overcoming the challenges that must be brought on by his terribly unfortunate nickname. Why would you call a guy named Jones “Joner?” It’s Jonesy. It’s always Jonesy. Get it together, San Jose.</p>
<p id="lsFHj7">Sharks rookie Kevin Labanc made his debut in this game, and he fit seamlessly onto a line with Joonas Donskooi and Logan Couture. Playing with those players made it clear that Labanc would be expected to contribute offensively, and he did not disappoint. A 2014 sixth round pick, Labanc jumped from 35 points in his draft year in the OHL to 107 and 127 the two following years. He has 10 points in 6 games for San Jose’s AHL affiliate so far this season, and while he’s yet to make it onto an NHL scoresheet, it was very clear that his jump and energy would make him difficult to deal with.</p>
<p id="QN41gu">Though defensemen Justin Braun and Marc-Edouard Vlasic made a couple of flat footed mistakes against some very dangerous Washington forwards, the Sharks generally played a textbook road hockey game. They limited the Capitals to four shots in the first period through a methodical puck control game, and eventually wore them down enough to secure a 3-0 victory.</p>
<p id="jF4ZHo">After six vital playoff games against San Jose last spring, the Blues know all too well that the combination of speed, skill, tenacity, and stable goaltending can present a real challenge. Hopefully someone else steps up to tug on their metaphorical beards and presents the necessary resistance to break through against a rigid, stable, mature team.</p>
<p id="ZguX7X"> </p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/11/17/13668442/life-on-the-road---san-jose-sharksJeff M. Jones2016-11-17T11:00:06-06:002016-11-17T11:00:06-06:00Lighting The Lamp: Shark Attack
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hsNdCGBo2FFSOTELKJk4eEaWMhM=/0x0:3265x2177/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51882933/San_Jose_hockey_tri__2016_05_19_003.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Rick in the concourse in San Jose between periods standing under a large Joe Pavelski poster | Rick Ackerman</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>You might recognize the "Lighting the Lamp" feature from the Game Time paper. Rick Ackerman has been nice enough to send over his column for the website. "Lighting the Lamp" will be featured every home game day.</p> <h4 id="EfWPCF">
<strong>Lighting the Lamp </strong>With Rick Ackerman </h4>
<p id="jbd2r7"> Where were you on Wednesday, May 25, 2016? You may not exactly remember that day, yet surely you will remember that night, when the San Jose Sharks eliminated the St. Louis Blues from the playoffs. A decisive 5-2 victory over the Blues enabled los Tiburones to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since their birth in 1990. </p>
<p id="vkxl3E"> Originally the team located in California’s Silicon Valley was to be named the Blades. Over 5,000 entries were submitted to name the new NHL franchise, and Blades was the winner. However, Gordon and George Gund III, owners of the new NHL team, were afraid of a name potentially associated with weapons or violence, so they went with the runner-up Sharks, or Tiburones in Spanish. San Jose began play during the 1991-92 season, finishing out of playoff contention with a 17-58-5 record. The following season was worse as the hapless, toothless Sharks won only 11 (of 84) games. In fact, they would not finish with a record over .500 until the 1999-2000 season, the one in which San Jose eliminated the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Blues (114 points, best in team history) in seven games in the opening round of the playoffs. </p>
<p id="U5B5mn"> A year later St. Louis would even the postseason score with an opening-round slap- down of the Sharks in six games. In 2004 San Jose would win the opening round once again, eliminating the Blues in five games. The Note would even up the playoff series with a five-game opening-round victory over the Sharks in 2012. And then the postseason meeting of these NHL rivals last season saw San Jose go ahead in rivalry, taking three of five total series, winning 15 games and losing 14. However, these playoff games were so close that the Blues actually scored one more goal than los Tiburones, 74 to 73, in the 29 contests. One game went to overtime (in 2001) and one to double overtime (in 2012). Bonus points to anyone who can recall who scored the Blues’ overtime goal and the Sharks’ double overtime goal.</p>
<p id="GMyh1h"> St. Louis and San Jose have completed seven trades since the Sharks began NHL play, most of them minor in detail and impact. The first deal was in March 1995 when the Blues, in need of defensive help, acquired defenseman Jeff Norton and a third-round amateur draft pick for center Craig Janney and cash. A five-year veteran of the Boston Bruins, Janney had come west to St. Louis for Adam Oates in 1992 and scored a lot of points (48 goals and 185 assists) over four seasons wearing the Bluenote. Janney played well for the rest of the ‘95 season and the next in California but was traded by the Sharks in March 1996 to Winnipeg for center Darren Turcotte and a second-round draft choice. Norton played two unremarkable seasons for the Blues before being sent to Edmonton for defensemen Igor Kravchuk and Ken Sutton. </p>
<p id="2u8Rzz"> Four minor deals were completed between 1995 and 2002. CentersTodd Elik (13 games) and Turcotte (62 games) and defenseman Todd Gill (39 games) came to St. Louis, while forwards Kevin Miller (89 games), Stephane Matteau (five seasons), Joe Murphy (86 games) and defenseman Rich Pilon all went to San Jose. Instead of reporting to the Sharks, Pilon retired.</p>
<p id="nVS4bY"> Desperate for scoring help, San Jose acquired 36-year-old Bill Guerin from the Blues on February 27, 2007. Forwards Ville Nieminen and Jay Barriball went to St. Louis, but never panned out for the home team. However, the 2007 first-round draft choice included in the deal with San Jose turned out to be David Perron, selected 26th overall. Guerin played only 16 games in a teal jersey, scoring eight goals, before being sent to the New York Islanders after the season for a draft pick.</p>
<p id="zuNB7p"> The last trade between the Blues and Sharks took place in June 2007 at the Entry Draft. The teams swapped first-round picks, with San Jose choosing center Logan Couture ninth over all and St. Louis taking center Lars Eller 13th overall. The Note also picked up a second-round pick, winger Aaron Palushaj, and used a third-round selection from the Sharks on burly winger Ian Schultz. After two seasons in Peoria, Eller played only seven games for St. Louis in 2009 and was subsequently shipped to Montreal in June 2010 along with Schultz for goaltender Jaro Halak. Palushaj never played a game for the Blues and was traded to Montreal in March 2010 for Matt D’Agostino. In the meantime, Couture is a 27-year-old All-Star (in 2011-12) for San Jose, totaling 157 goals and 331 points in 446 NHL games over eight seasons. </p>
<p id="9BDYHy"> An interesting aside concerns the strange coincidence that when Couture was born in Guelph, Ontario, the delivery-room nurse at the hospital was Bernadette Devorski, the mother of NHL referee Paul Devorski and NHL linesman Greg Devorski.</p>
<p id="ddRNdH"> And I won’t keep anyone in suspense about the bonus-points questions. Defenseman Bryce Salvador took a pass from Pierre Turgeon to give the Blues an overtime victory in 2001, while Martin Havlat scored the double-overtime-winning-goal in 2012 for the Sharks.</p>
<p id="6RdyiP"> Yet another weird happenstance occurred in November 2015 when St. Louis signed Havlat to a one-year deal, which immediately paid off when the former Devil scored the game-winning goal against New Jersey in his Blues debut. However, after one more game, Havlat retired, citing personal reasons.</p>
<p id="QzLSif"> It can only be hoped the Blues will recall last season’s playoff exit and seek a measure of revenge tonight by playing hard and tough with few mistakes or mental errors, especially any more penalties for shooting the puck over the glass or too many men on the ice.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/11/17/13665932/lighting-the-lamp-shark-attackhildymac2016-11-17T08:00:09-06:002016-11-17T08:00:09-06:00Sharks At Blues Morning Open Thread: Redux
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NfI2AIqYnTflub2B4OuZHTW6NDc=/0x38:3056x2075/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51879473/usa-today-9306399.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Sharks bumped the Blues out of the Western Conference Finals last year - can the Blues get a modicum of revenge tonight?</p> <p>No, regular season victories over the team that eliminated you in the playoffs do not count as revenge. A small moral victory, perhaps. Some tiny comeuppance, maybe. But revenge for being knocked out of the Western Conference Finals? Yeah, the best revenge for that would be to knock the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">Sharks</a> out of the playoffs this year.</p>
<p>Of course, making the playoffs and playoff success is contingent upon getting some scoring going and defense clicking and goaltending not worrying about bounces. After two back-to-back games in which the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> scored four goals, it looks like the scoring and power play are getting the kinks worked out.</p>
<p>But tonight's the Sharks, not the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/">Sabres</a>. Will they mess up the effects of that one amazing practice that the Blues had Monday?</p>
<p>This is your morning open thread. Check back a little later on for a Lighting the Lamp from Rick, your game preview, and a GDT. While you're waiting for the puck to drop, head to <a href="http://www.fearthefin.com/">Fear The Fin</a> and say hi to our good friends over there.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/11/17/13663728/san-jose-sharks-at-st-louis-blues-morning-open-thread-reduxhildymac