By: Eric He

AP photo: St Louis Blues teammates congratulate goaltender Brian Elliott (1) after game one victory over the San Jose Sharks during Sunday’s Western Conference Final game

The Sharks put the pressure on the Blues in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in St. Louis, but couldn’t finish on enough scoring chances in a 2-1 loss to start the seven game series.

Jon Lehtera scored the game-winning goal for the Blues midway through the second period, taking advantage of a turnover by Brent Burns in the defensive zone. Lehtera’s slap shot found its way past Martin Jones on a shot the Sharks’ goaltender would like to have back.

Turnovers were the theme of the night for the Sharks, who gifted the Blues several scoring opportunities. But the Sharks still found themselves down by just a goal late in the third. They pulled Jones with over two minutes to play and put a barrage of shots in on Blues’ goaltender Brian Elliot, but could not find the back of the net.

The Sharks never held the lead in the game, falling behind five minutes in on a power play goal by David Backes in the first period. Though, they responded 34 seconds later when Brent Burns’ shot from the point deflected off Joe Pavelski and Tomas Hertl into the net — Hertl was credited with the goal.

San Jose, boasting a dangerous power play, went 0-for-3 on the man advantage in Game 1, thought it outshot St. Louis 32-23.

Still, the Sharks weren’t able to come up with a goal to force overtime and drop the first game of a series for the first time this postseason.

Game 2 will be Tuesday at 5 P.M.