Sharks Slow Down High-Powered Blues, But Lose 3-1

The San Jose Sharks welcome the high-powered St. Louis Blues to SAP Center tonight. Noah Gregor gave the Sharks a quick lead, but the Blues took the game 3-1.

Period 1

Gregor goal: Like that area pass by Balcers to put it ion a place that Gregor can skate into. That might be Gregor’s first goal this year that wasn’t an open net tap-in or whatever. Gregor’s scouting report indicates he has a good shot, so nice to see it finally pay off.

Noticing the San Jose Sharks’ 1-1-3 a lot so far.

4 in: Smart pick set high by Reedy for Hertl.

Joshua goal: Chmelevski had an exit pass to Reedy that missed right before. Puck in deep becomes St. Louis puck. Somebody doesn’t pick up Joshua, is that Meloche? Looked like Bordeleau has switched to covered for Meloche down low. Disappointing coverage regardless San Jose Sharks had numbers.

7 in: Good hard pass by Meloche off wall to Meier.

Blues loaded, they lead NHL with eight 50-point scorers, have three more in the 40’s (Krug, Faulk, Saad).

7 left: Good dump-in by Gregor, a place where Balcers can almost get to it, then Gregor recovers. Good zone time, though no shots. This has been San Jose’s best line tonight.

4 left: Soft bounce pass by Burns to Chmelevski, exit. Nice play as Blues forecheck had Sharks going all over the place.

3 left: Looks like Balcers almost springs Bordeleau there. TB misses net, but RB making plays tonight.

Through Jan. 30 and 40 appearances, Meier had six PIMs. Since then, including tonight, so for his last 32 games, Meier has 44 PIMs. Tied for the NHL lead for most minors since Feb. 1 with guess who? Evander Kane.

1 left: Big save by Reimer on Saad, who was alone in slot. Then on Schenn with Reimer down but not out.

The San Jose Sharks are keeping Blues from the most dangerous of areas: SPORTLOGiQ has it 1-1 Slot Shots at ES, Natural Stat Trick has it STL 1-0 High-Danger at 5v5. Blues are up 7-3 Scoring Chances at 5v5 and have both PPs so far though, so they feel a bit more dangerous.

Period 2

4 in: Bordeleau has actually been safer with the puck tonight in the DZ, want to say that first, but a backhand pass to no one there but the Blues just now. Sharks get out of it, but he really can’t do that, St. Louis has puck for almost a minute because of. Might’ve been a clear attempt, but not a good one at that.

6 in: Now that’s a well-timed sprawl by Ferraro on clear-cut 2-on-1. Deflects the Barbashev pass out.

9 in: Good decision by Gregor, head of steam but St. Louis set up defensively, long dump but not long enough for icing. Takes some finesse.

10 in: Sasha draws a penalty. Merkley-Bordeleau-Meier-Dahlen-Hertl to start on PP. Merkley behind Reimer gets stripped. He seems to indicate that he got held or something, but it didn’t look it took much, no call. Then Burns-Couture-Gregor-Bonino-Reedy on next PP unit.

Tough shift: Meier with desperation icing. On ensuing DZ draw, San Jose Sharks about to battle the puck out but Hertl delay of game. Meier exasperated, Hertl just beelines to box.

3 left: Superb PK shift by Couture. Gets a shot off one-on-one against I presume Blues d-man, then bats puck out in zone to Gregor, who has a step for a shot.

This game is shaping up to be a classic #SJSharks of recent vintage effort: Play hard, come up short. At even strength, Sharks have played with #STLBlues. Per SPORTLOGiQ 1-1 Slot Shots at ES. Natural Stat Trick has STL 1-0 High-Danger at 5v5

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 22, 2022

Period 3

Couple plays by Bordeleau that I liked to start: Can’t quite corral exit pass, but stops up smart, hard to weak side to Burns, easy exit. Then Blues pressuring, Bordeleau with a quick, darting defensive stick to get it from Barbashev to Gregor.

4 in: Ferraro does a nice job to get out of trouble, get it out. Think he’s had a nice game.

7 in: That’s a very nice Bordeleau shift. Tough exit but manages then protects puck until he can get it to Meloche and change.

10 left: Thomas just made Merkley look bad there.

Viel takes Tarasenko to the box. Good trade!

9 left: Not sure if Meloche looked up there when he got to puck along wall. Think he had time and space to make better play than what appears to be a blind (but safe) glass but (not) out.

7 left: Ferraro staying with Leddy, wins it, exit pass.

5 left: Ferraro skates hard to recover, prevent 2-on-1.

3 left: Bonino does nice job to fight his way to red line.