The season is young, but not too young for a Conference Finals preview. The Western Conference is extremely competitive and in order to survive until the end a team must have everything fall into place at the right time. The first leg of the 2013-14 campaign has been traveled masterfully by the 5-0-0 San Jose Sharks and the 4-0-0 St. Louis Blues. One comment that has been made when talking about either team in recent years is: It's been a long time coming. With the talent being more evenly spread across the NHL in comparison to every other major sport, every team is provided a certain window of opportunity to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. Both of these clubs have proven worthy to be in the discussion for several years, but when push comes to shove; they are bounced from the postseason. Both teams have exploded out of the gates this season and are racing toward the same prize that can only be claimed by one. If there has been a game worth watching this season, it is this one tonight on NBCS (8:00 eastern).
San Jose and St. Louis have the hottest sticks this season. Averaging an absurd 4.80 and 4.75 goals per game, it'd be safe to say that tonight will provide a surplus of goals. On the other hand, Both teams are two of the four that have held their opponents under two goals per game. Looking at that stat alone, a low scoring affair could be on the menu tonight in the Scottrade Center. Tomas Hertl has gotten out to a blazing start for the Sharks, posting 8 points (7 g 1 a). St. Louis's Alexander Steen has matched those 8 points (4 g 4 a) and has done so in one fewer game played. Jaroslav Halak is 4-0-0 in goal this year for the Blues; stopping 93.4 percent of the pucks shot his way and has only let seven pucks into his net.Antti Niemi has been in net for all five of San Jose's victories. He has posted a 93.9 save percentage, letting in only 7 goals, with one more game played.
I have been counting down the days until these powers finally met this season and cannot wait to watch on national television. Like every game in the National Hockey League, it's plausible that either team playing could win. Tonight I am giving the edge to the home team: St. Louis Blues. I am predicting that both Niemi and Halak will receive 35+ shots tonight, but turn most of them away. The sole reason I envision the Sharks falling short is their special teams. San Jose's weakness happens to be the Blue's choice of poison this year. St. Louis is second to none when it comes to scoring on the powerplay while the Sharks are second to over half of the league when it comes to preventing powerplay units from scoring. My prediction is St. Louis over San Jose 4-3 in regulation with three of their goals coming on the powerplay. Leave your prediction in the comment box below, if it's accurate, you will receive your favorite NHL team's hat.
Post the final score prediction, your 1st star for the game, and your favorite team. Post by 8:05pm Eastern to be eligible.
Post the final score prediction, your 1st star for the game, and your favorite team. Post by 8:05pm Eastern to be eligible.