San Jose Sharks @ St Louis Blues - April 14 2012

Free NHL Pick: San Jose Sharks @ St Louis Blues
April 14, 2012

I have always loved the energy of Blues team, particularly in the last three years. It was clear that the team's young talents would continue to build on their performance and take the Blues to playoffs and beyond. During regular season, they were NHL's best team on home ice with an amazing 30 wins. That and the straight victories including two home shutouts against the Sharks during regular season didn't really make a difference for the Blues in the first match of the series on Friday. It was all about Havlat who scored two goals, one being the game winning goal in 2nd overtime and the goaltender Niemi who stopped 40 shots. 

When the game was 1-0 for Sharks, Blues had all sorts of chances in the 2nd period. It took them until the 3rd period to score the game tying goal. Berglun who tied the game when scored a beautiful powerplay goal and I thought Blues would hold on to that lead but Desjardins gave life to Sharks and in 2nd OT, Havlat gave Sharks the lead in series. 

17-17-7 on road during regular season, Sharks are not the best team on road. Yes it's playoffs and it's not like regular season matches but that's also another reason I will go with Blues tonight. I don't remember when Sharks really played consistently in playoffs. Their fantastic regular season in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 was turning into a big disappointment in playoffs. Blues deserved to be here this season and I'm expecting a better performance from Backes, Oshie and Pietrangelo tonight. Despite my expectations for Elliot to return, it's Halak who will most definitely make the start for the Blues and Niemi will be in goal for Sharks once again.

Free NHL Pick: St Louis Blues to win [Moneyline]

Outcome: