GameDay Preview: St. Louis Blues @ San Jose Sharks – 10-15-11

GameDay Preview October 15th, 2011

St. Louis Blues

(1-2-0, 2 Points)

@

San Jose Sharks

(1-1-0, 2 Points)

Game Time: 9:00 pm Central
Location: HP Pavilion in San Jose, California

TV: Fox Sports Midwest (HD)
Radio: KMOX 1120 AM (Listen Here)

Head to Head

This is the first match-up between the Blues and Sharks who will see each other a total of four times through out the 2011-12 season. San Jose won the series last season with three wins. The only loss coming on November 4th, 2010. The Sharks have dominated the Blues recently. Owning a 13-2-2 record in their last 17 meetings.

From the Blues Perspective

Saturday’s game is about getting back on track. After losing a tough one to Nashville one week ago they pulled their record even with a convincing victory over Calgary. Another lackluster performance in Dallas Thursday put the Blues below .500 yet again in the early season. The Blues will need their goaltending to improve as well as their penalty kill.

Through the first three games Jaroslav Halak has allowed eight goals while facing the lowest number of shots per game in the league, 19. His .857 save percentage must improve if the Blues are to stop the high flying Sharks offense. The penalty killing crew must be better as well. They’re currently ranked the second worse in the NHL with a 66.7% kill rate.

Perhaps the Blues sluggish to start power play can get kick started. The Sharks are the only team less effective on the penalty kill than the Blues. Allowing three power play scores in just seven attempted kills for 57.1% rate.

From the Sharks Perspective

Finding a balance in their ability to finish will be key. After scoring six in their first game of the season they were unable to put the puck in the Anaheim Ducks’ net in game two. Captain Joe Thornton is scoreless and needs to find his point producing touch if the Sharks are to prevent an early season slide.

Injury Report

The Blues will be without forward Andy McDonald due to a head injury and possible concussion. Forward David Perron remains out of the lineup but is working towards a return from post concussion symptoms. Defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo is out with a concussion suffered in the home opener against Nashville. Forward BJ Crombeen is out with a fractured left shoulder.

San Jose forward Martin Havlat, acquired in a trade shipping out Dany Heatley, remains out due to his recovery from an off season shoulder surgery. Backup netminder Antero Nittymaki will be out a couple months after abdominal surgery. Starting goalie Antti Niemi had been out after having a cyst removed from his knee, but dressed for the Sharks last game.

Who To Watch For

New Sharks defenseman Brett Burns, acquired via trade this summer for Devin Setoguchi, leads the team in shots on goal with 10. He helps alleviate some of the pressure off longtime blueline catalyst Dan Boyle.

Blues center Patrik Berglund is tied for the team lead in points with three (1 goal, 2 assists) and his line with TJ Oshie and Chris Stewart has been the most consistent so far this season.  The trio has combined to score three goals and six points.

Starting Goalies

According to David Pollak, Thomas Greiss is the expected starter for San Jose. In 21 career NHL games the native of Germany has a record of 8-6-2 with a 2.68 GAA and .908 save percentage.

Per Jeremy Rutherford, Brian Elliott will get the start in place of Halak. In 142 carer games in the NHL he owns a 61-53-16 record with a 2.90 GAA and .901 save percentage.

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Lineup Updates

Per Rutherford, Evgeny Grachev and Chris Porter are in. Ryan Reaves is out.