It's gonna be a long, tough series I think. We don't match up very well with the Blues but I'm confident we can wear them down over the course of a series. Sharks in 7.
Part of wearing down a team is playing physically. The Sharks are not a physical team that is going to wear down a team. They're a team that has to find a way to get the puck and move it through the neutral zone. The entire reason why the Blues have managed to suffocate the Sharks during the season was that they completely shut down their game through the neutral zone and basically stop the offense before it starts in their own zone.
You can talk about hits, face-offs, and shots all you want but the key for the Sharks winning a game against the Blues is the ability to move the puck through the neutral zone on them. If they get the better of that aspect, they will get their chances. If they continue like it has gone during the season where they can't even get out of their zone with a controlled breakout, they're dead meat.
Nah. They bore me. Since they don't call penalties in the playoffs, one of them will be a 5OT game that if it's played in San Jose, will be going on when I wake up the next morning for work.
Part of wearing down a team is playing physically. The Sharks are not a physical team that is going to wear down a team. They're a team that has to find a way to get the puck and move it through the neutral zone. The entire reason why the Blues have managed to suffocate the Sharks during the season was that they completely shut down their game through the neutral zone and basically stop the offense before it starts in their own zone.
You can talk about hits, face-offs, and shots all you want but the key for the Sharks winning a game against the Blues is the ability to move the puck through the neutral zone on them. If they get the better of that aspect, they will get their chances. If they continue like it has gone during the season where they can't even get out of their zone with a controlled breakout, they're dead meat.
I think Braun and Burns have picked up their puck moving ability the past month or two. Them playing fast and moving the puck up quickly will be critical to solving St. Louis' trap.
My guess based on schedules (Kevin Hart at Scottrade, Sabrecats)
Game 1 Thursday 4/12 at STL
Game 2 Saturday 4/14 (Hart is 4/13) at STL
Game 3 Monday 4/16 at SJ
Game 4 Wednesday 4/18 at SJ
Game 5 Friday 4/20 if necessary at STL
Game 6 Sunday 4/22 if necessary at SJ
Game 7 Tuesday 4/24 if necessary at STL
__________________
2011: Outcoached by Vigneault. 2012: Outcoached all season and postseason by Hitch.
2013: Outcoached by most coaches in the NHL. Who's left? 12 year olds on Xbox Live? SACK T-MAC NOW
I think Braun and Burns have picked up their puck moving ability the past month or two. Them playing fast and moving the puck up quickly will be critical to solving St. Louis' trap.
Yes but passing is key to beating that trap. Carrying it through, which is what Braun and Burns have generally been the best at, is exactly what they want you to do.
Off-topic: From these posts, I see everyone wanted to play us to have their team in the GDT lol...
On-topic: I hope the Sharks can win this simply by working hard and with experience. The playoffs are completely different from the reg. season, and most of the St. Louis team has not played in the playoffs. (not counting that sweep a few years ago...) It's also a tough 1st round match-up because if we do win, we might be going into the 2nd round already somewhat worn out and tired, but regardless, BRING ON THE BLUES! GO SHARKS!
EDIT: Prediction, Sharks in 6 - Split in St. Louis (win 2nd one), win 3/4 in SJ, lose game 5 in St. Louis, win Game 6 at the tank. Boom.
LETS GO SHARKS!
