Notes #16: Blues Blow Out Sharks 4-1

Period One

Two in: Barabanov does a nice job covering for the pinching Karlsson, intercepts soft slot pass, but then behind the net, he gives it away, Blues forechecker sniffs him out. He’s gotta be careful with that, good as he’s been, he has a looseness to his game. Is that the right word? Even keeping his head down on Dumba and Zadorov hits, for example.

Five in: Gadjovich works it in, good effort there to steam by a couple Blues, but then he tosses a hope slot pass to Labanc, doesn’t connect. Thinking about what Gadjovich’s strengths are, hold the puck, absorb a check, wait until you can get the puck to Labanc, then get open again for possible return pass. That’s what he needs to be doing, I think.

Six in: Karlsson breakaway, what a stretch pass by Weatherby.

That's a shame: Couture embarrassed Krug there, created a two-on-one out of the air

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 19, 2021

It happens, that offside…but honestly, I think Dahlen’s attention to detail has slipped recently.

Eight in: Like that from Meier. Back to point, Karlsson, he tries to do something up high. No problem. But Karlsson is in a tough position, Blues surrounding, Meier doesn’t double down and try to help Karlsson, he covers defensively for Karlsson. Just smart hockey.

Before Labanc penalty, Gadjovich made a nice pass to Labanc in the slot. Hopefully, KLB can keep things going after he gets out of the box, he isn’t too frustrated. San Jose Sharks need him.

Sharks follow Saad goal with a solid forecheck. I’ve actually liked this period a lot for them.

Eight left: Like what I’m seeing from Gadjovich so far tonight. Good fight net front. His best game so far for Sharks, I think.

Four left: Karlsson beats Thomas with his feet, but he doesn’t account for Thomas’s stick. Great job by Thomas, less so for Karlsson.

I’m not a fan, but even I said to screen to Balcers “Shoot it” — Hedican made a good point, Balcers has to at least look at goalie, feign shot. But Balcers’s eyes are on Barabanov the whole time, zero deception.

One left: Solid forecheck by Gadjovich and Labanc to get it back, then Karlsson finds Labanc for the shot.

Barabanov has to get it all the way down.

Period Two

One in: Same for Couture, shoot! And hey, next couple shifts down, it’s in your net. Hatakka doesn’t gap up on Perunovich, too much respect paid — then Hertl slow on Thomas’s stick.

Five in: Now that’s a play from Karlsson. He’s about to get murdered on St. Louis forecheck. He makes perfect backhand pass to available Gadjovich and also avoids brunt of hit.

Six in: Steal by Hertl, has a great chance, Sharks need a skill play like that to get on the board.

Seven in: Like that hard feed, low to high, from Bonino to point. Takes some good skill there.

Dahlen goal: Meier just sons Perunovich. Dahlen does great job to recover puck then turn back to get open. Not sure how Meier’s pass gets through Husso and Perron to Dahlen. O’Reilly probably was in the wrong place too, maybe anticipating Meier going the other way with puck.

Saad goal: Not a good forecheck from the third line. Nieto bites even though he’s the third forward high, he’s not even close to puck. Trailer Blue beats Cogliano up the ice. Burns and Ferraro pretty much have no choice but to back up. Only grace is, and I was going to say this before Dahlen goal, Blues are playing loose. Sharks should get their chances.

Seven left: Good effort by Dahlen on forecheck, beats Bortuzzo. I actually, like I alluded to earlier, haven’t liked details on Dahlen’s game recently. Better today: He’s doing more than just getting scoring chances. He needs to do that to stay in NHL.

Four left: Another front of the net turnover by Karlsson. Sloppy.

Three left: Bad pass by Hatakka, followed by a good one. Sharks defending way too much, Blues too much for them right now.

#STLBlues 14-3 Slot Shots in the 2nd period — 'nuff said

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 19, 2021

Period Three

Labanc looks like he replaced Balcers on Hertl line…then St. Louis scored. No relationship, I swear, that looks like one Reimer should've had

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 19, 2021