Game Five:
Sharks 3 – Blues 1Sharks Win Series 4-1
It turns out the Blues are exactly what the stats say they are: a mediocre team that can’t score. Short on quality forwards and beat up on defense, they did well to get as far as they did. The Sharks, meanwhile, look like a contender: good goaltending, no serious weaknesses on the depth chart, a youth/experience mix, and an emerging star in Patrick Marleau. Let’s see how they make out against a real playoff team.
Mark Smith, filling in for injured center Alyn McCauley, scored the game-winner, his first NHL playoff goal.
The Blues played some of their best hockey of the series in this game. But they failed to convert several good scoring opportunities, a margin of error they could not afford.
St. Louis, relying heavily on three lines and four defensemen, appeared to wear down against the deeper and faster Sharks.
San Jose allowed two goals in three home games.
Game Four: Sharks 4 - Blues 3
(Sharks lead series 3-1)
The second period told the story. San Jose had a 12-5 edge in shots and broke through with a pair of goals to take a 3-1 lead. St. Louis chipped away at it, but were never able to draw even in a game that was as close as the score indicates. The Sharks' scoring came from left wingers: two goals each by Scott Thornton and Alexander Korolyuk.
Doug Weight scored on the power play late in the third period, the Blues' first power play goal in 19 tries.
Blues' defenseman Chris Pronger, who normally leads the team in ice time, played fewer minutes than fellow defenders Eric Weinrich or Christian Backman.
After getting outshot by a wide margin in the first two periods of game three, the Sharks allowed just 13 shots over the same span in game four.
Thornton did not return to the game after taking an awkward fall in the third period. San Jose center Alyn McCauley has been out since game one with what is listed as a "hand/arm" injury.
Game Three: Blues 4 - Sharks 1
(Sharks lead series 2-1)
After being held to one goal in the first two games, the Blues desperately needed someone with a hot hand. But they probably weren't banking on Mike Sillinger. A long-time checking centerman elevated to the number-one line, he produced the first playoff hat trick of his 12-year career.
Sillinger has proven a key addition for St. Louis, producing 8 goals and 5 assists in 19 games since arriving in a March trade.
After handing the Sharks 13 power play chances in game two, St. Louis took just three minor penalties in game three.
Blues' goalie Chris Osgood, pulled from the net in game two, showed no apparent signs of a rumored knee injury.
Game Two: Sharks 3 - Blues 1
(Sharks lead series 2-0)
Patrick Marleau, San Jose's top scorer this season, had a hat trick, with two power play goals and one short-handed.
St. Louis took 16 minor penalties. Keith Tkachuk and Chris Pronger had ten of them.
The Blues, who have suffered scoring droughts all season, rarely looked dangerous.
Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov has stopped 51 of 52 shots in the series.
Blues goalie Chris Osgood looked uncomfortable, raising suspicions that he is playing hurt. He was replaced in the third period.
San Jose's top defensive centerman, Alyn McCauley, missed the game with a shoulder injury.
Game One: Sharks 1 - Blues 0 (OT)
(Sharks lead series 1-0)
A first-rate playoff game: fast, hostile and highlighted by excellent goaltending.
Niko Dimitrakos scored his first playoff goal in his first playoff game, and the Sharks get their first overtime playoff win in six years.
The Blues' best forwards - Dimitra, Tkachuk and Weight - were caught out of position on the goal.
Series Schedule
All Times Eastern Standard Time
* - denotes "if necessary"
Network television coverage listed in brackets.
Thursday, April 8: San Jose 1 - St. Louis 0 (OT)
Saturday, April 10: San Jose 3 - St. Louis 1
Monday, April 12: St. Louis 4 - San Jose 1
Tuesday, April 13: San Jose 4 - St. Louis 3
Thursday, April 15: San Jose 3 - St. Louis 1
San Jose Wins Series 4-1
Sharks vs. Blues: Series Preview
Stanley Cup 2004: Analysis and Recaps of Every First Round Series
Stanley Cup 2004: First Round Schedule and Results at a Glance
