GameBlog 12-18-10: Blues vs. Sharks
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What You Need2Know
- Niktia Nikitin was returned to Peoria since Erik Johnson is ready to come back to the lineup. Alex Pietrangelo is out though.
- No updates since yesterday on those in the MASH unit.
- Put thoughts of revenge on hold. Not just because anger should be pointed at Bobby Holik and Jamie Baler, but because the Blues can’t get in to an emotion filled battle. Too much opportunity in games like that to take bad penalties. As seen in Detroit, bad penalties are…BAD.
- Payne could always tinker with the lines to maximize matchups. Just sayin… We’ll see McSteenBeen at some point tonight.
Lineups
Per Lou Korac’s Gameday blog, here are the expected lines, pairings and starting netminders.
St. Louis
Vladimir Sobotka-David Backes-Brad Boyes
Brad Winchester-Patrik Berglund-B.J. Crombeen
Alex Steen-Jay McClement-Matt D’Agostini
Chris Porter-Dave Scatchard-Cam Janssen
Ian Cole-Eric Brewer
Barret Jackman-Erik Johnson
Carlo Colaiacovo-Tyson Strachan
Jaroslav Halak starts in net.
San Jose
Torrey Mitchell-Joe Thornton-Dany Heatley
Ryane Clowe-Logan Couture-Patrick Marleau
Jamie McGinn-Joe Pavelski-Devin Setoguchi
Benn Ferriero-Scott Nichol-Jamal Mayers
Marc-Edouard Vlasic-Dan Boyle
Jason Demers-Kent Huskins
Niclas Wallin-Justin Braun
Antero Niittymaki starts for San Jose.
Scouting Report
Today’s Scouting Report comes from Stephanie Lee (@OhMySwed3). The San Jose Sharks correspondent of NHLHotStove.com.
Everyone around the league knows the big three and Dan Boyle. Who should get more attention that isn’t?
Logan Couture. He’s getting some pretty good attention right now due to the fact that he’s leading all NHL Rookies in goals with 15 and GWG with 5. Also Jason Demers is turning into a pretty good defenseman. He’s got the skill to become a top 2 D.
What is wrong with Patrick Marleau?
I wish I knew the answer to this one. It’s very difficult to tell what’s going on with Patty. I’m hoping that it’s just a slump and that he’s not injured or anything.
What has been the biggest contributing factor in the Sharks struggles this season?
Defense. Oh my lord, defense! With only Dan Boyle and Niclas Wallin being the two defensemen to score more then 2 goals this season, it’s pretty bad. Granted last season we had Rob Blake on the team. But still, our defense has been our downfall from the start of the season.
What is the Shark POV on the Thornton hit / Perron concussion?
I think they are on the side of Switzerland. Saying that it happens in hockey but the league does need to crack down on hits like that. I know that Joe had mentioned that he obviously didn’t mean to hit him that way and he felt he didn’t do anything wrong. I, personally think he didn’t do anything wrong. But hey, I am a Sharks fan after all.
The Blues will beat the Sharks if…?
We can get our defense together and not give up anymore 3rd period leads. After last nights game in Dallas, the Sharks had given up the 3rd period lead in 3 of their last 5 games. We need to play a 60 minute game if we want to continue on winning, need better consistency from our forwards and more scoring from the defense as well. Goaltending has been pretty solid with the combo of Niemi and Niittymakki.
