Author: smallforce

Warriors finish off Cavs 108-85 for back-to-back championships

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @warriors

By Pearl Allison Lo

The Golden State Warriors were on the big stage following their defeat of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017. This year, Golden State knocked out Cleveland again with a 108-85 rout Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night at the Quicken Loans Arena.

The start of the game was familiar territory as the Warriors went into the game with a 3-0 advantage, but the result was unfamiliar as they found themselves with another title–their first ever back-to-back titles. It was Golden State’s sixth straight win of these 2018 playoffs.

For fans of the opposing team, perhaps more disappointing than the loss for the Cavs, is whether star LeBron James will stay or leave.

Still sporting a red eye from Game 1, James left the court with 4:03 left after playing a game-high 41 minutes and scoring 23 points. He left to praise from all, including his opponents and the crowds chants of “MVP” grew louder.

Speaking of MVP, Kevin Durant matched his team, receiving the NBA Finals accolade for the second straight year. Durant finished a +30 and earned his first career playoff triple double, with 20 points and a game-high 12 rebounds along with a game-high 10 assists.

Teammate Stephen Curry, who held the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the game, scored a 2018 playoff-high 37 points in 39 minutes.

In the first, after both teams scored, the Warriors went on an 11-0 run, seven points from Curry, which Cleveland then countered with an 8-0 run. Golden State had three fouls during the latter run, including a technical. The Warriors’ Klay Thompson left the court after his second foul.  

The Cavs’ last possession of the first was marked by four offensive rebounds, three missed shots and two blocks by Golden State.

Curry overcame his 11 point performance in Game 3 with 12 points in the first.

It took awhile for Golden State to get going in the second. Cleveland took advantage, gaining the lead for the first time, 39-38, with 7:12 left. At that point, the Warriors only had four points to the Cavaliers’ 14. The lead then continued to change basket by basket for a total of five times and then a sixth after free throws interrupted the pattern.

Golden State then held the lead the rest of the game after the 47-43 score with 4:36 left (Andre Iguodala hit a three). Curry had eight points with the help of two three’s and Cleveland missed three free throws.  

By the end of the second, both teams had scored 27 points apiece, canceling out any advantage for the Cavaliers.

In the third, Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson inadvertently helped with the Warriors’ then game-high 17 point lead, 67-52, when he put in a bucket for them. The points were credited to JaVale McGee.

When James made a free throw, the third score after (49-47), that would be the closest the Cavaliers ever got anymore.

Both teams’ field goal and three point shooting went down in the third but Golden State’s first bucket of the third, a Thompson jumper, would mark a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. Cleveland only scored 13 points in the quarter and the Warriors lead reached 21 points at the end.

Golden State’s lead’s largest margin would end at 28 points and occurred with 6:19 left, courtesy of Curry (102-74).

Game Notes: The last time the NBA Finals saw a sweep was in 2007, when James and the Cavs were the victims again. The Warriors finished a perfect 11-of-11 from the free throw line. Durant also had a a game-high-tying three blocks. Golden State will celebrate with their fans in person Tuesday at 11 am PDT.

Earthquakes get shut out by Galaxy 1-0 in California Clasico

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @LAGalaxy

By Pearl Allison Lo

CARSON, Calif. — It took a while, but Romain Alessandrini became the hero as Los Angeles won in the 82nd minute and defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in the first 2018 California Clasico at the StubHub Center Friday night.

Right after the Quakes made their first substitution in the 82nd minute, Alessandrini, who was tearful after, made the game’s first shot on target and converted.  It would be his third shot, a team-high. The last time Alessandrini scored was March 4th, the first game of the season.

It was close to being a different story though. In the 89th minute, the Quakes’ Danny Hoesen most likely would have had his fourth goal in a row, if goalie David Bingham did not deflect the ball, which hit the crossbar after. That was the only other shot on goal.

It was the Galaxy’s second 1-0 win in a row. The last time San Jose was blanked was May 5th. Both teams were struggling coming into the game in their last five.

Quakes’ coach Mikael Stahre evaluated the game, “…it was quite a good game. I think it was a game with lots of intensity and passion and I think we stood up in a good way and…we deserve at least a tie this evening.

Both teams were sporting the same uniform before the game, in support of the Major League Soccer’s Soccer For All initiative.

The first half saw a total of five shots. Attempts on both sides were matched by opposing players. The Quakes’ Vako had the most shots with three, but all were blocked.

Los Angeles’ Chris Pontius had a just wide header in the seventh minute.  

One of Vako’s shot hit Emrah Klimenta in the arm in the 21st minute, but there was no call.  

Shots picked up in the second half with a total of nine for the Galaxy and five for San Jose, but the defenses remained stalwart.

Alessandrini fell on his way to the net in the 51st minute.

Los Angeles’ Giovani dos Santos, who was questionable with an undisclosed injury, entered the game in the 75th minute.

When Vako was subbed out, he was the only player for San Jose with a shot, a total of five. At the end, Hoesen had two and Magnus Eriksson had one more.

Game Notes: Changes from last game for the Quakes were Shea Salinas, Vako and Chris Wondolowski put in the starting lineup.

The Galaxy were without a suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Up Next: San Jose will look to right their ship when they face the Chicago Fire Saturday June 2 at 5:30 pm PST.

“Hamptons 5” lineup helped Warriors to 119-106 rout of Rockets in Game 1

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: David J. Phillip/Associated Press

By Pearl Allison Lo

The Golden State Warriors started on the road for the first time these 2018 NBA playoffs and won by way of a 119-106 victory over the Rockets Monday at the Toyota Center in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals for a 1-0 series lead.

Golden State’s “Hamptons 5″ lineup consisted of Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who all combined for 99 points and a +48 rating versus the starting five for the Rockets (85 points and a -30 rating).

Durant posted his second-highest total this postseason with 37 points. On the flip side, Houston’s James Harden’s 41 points tied his second-highest too as he shot his best from the field (58.3%) these 2018 playoffs.  

Harden’s role could not be understated, as he helped or made 23 straight points from 3:10 left in the second to 8:10 left in the third.  

In Durant’s words: “We tried to take the first punch and kept on fighting…stay solid and keep up with each other…play a calm, steady game.”

Rockets’ coach Mike D’Antoni cited “mental lapses” and the need to be “mentally sharper.”

However, the separation between the teams did not occur until the third quarter.

At the end of the first half, both were dead even and just one point away after the first quarter.

Harden scored the first nine points for Houston (9-2 run) with a variety of shots, including two three-pointers and a technical free throw, courtesy of Green.

The Rockets got a scare when Harden left the court with 3:17 left in the first after Kevon Looney inadvertently stepped on his right foot.

The Warriors got their first lead (35-33) with 9:03 left in the second and then the teams wrestled back and forth until Golden State emerged the winner.

Houston used a 7-0 run to tie the game again with 1:51 left.

Golden State did not get their first free throws until 1:28 left in the half.

Almost ending the first half the way he started, Harden made his team’s last three shots for a total of 13 points in the second. Trevor Ariza, Green and Iguodala ended the half with three fouls.

Foul trouble would continue.

In the third, Ariza had to sit out with 9:35 left when he got his fifth foul.

After Iguodala made the second free throw, both teams traded baskets (seven of them interrupted) until 5:50 left when the Warriors went on a 10-2 run spurred by Thompson’s three. Stephen Curry either assisted with or hit eight of the points.

The Rockets put together an 8-0 run with two threes and two free throws near the end of the third, pulling to within four with a three (11:44 left in the fourth).

However, Golden State countered with a 7-2 run two minutes later to keep their lead.

Game Notes: Houston’s Chris Paul had a game-high 11 rebounds, Green a game-high nine assists and +19 and Thompson a game-high six threes.

Up Next: Game 2 will take place Wednesday at 6 pm PT. 

Wondolowski achieves MLS record in Earthquakes’ 3-1 win over Minnesota United FC

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes Twitter

By Pearl Allison Lo

San Jose Earthquakes captain Chris Wondolowski achieved a MLS record with the most goals for a single club, facing Minnesota United FC in a 3-1 win Saturday.

The Earthquakes ended a seven game, 70 day drought without a win including seven minutes of stoppage time. San Jose continued their dominance versus the Loons (4-0-0). The Quakes have scored three goals apiece in the last three, Danny Hoesen has scored at least one in each of those games and Wondolowski has put up an assist in all four games.

Both teams were able to put numbers on the board after being shut out in their previous games.

Wondolowski was not in the opening lineup for a second game, but entered in the 55th minute.  He made an indirect and direct impact in the 69th and 76th minutes.

The indirect play was when Wondolowski made a scoop pass from the endline to Hoesen. It was Hoesen’s second straight goal in two games versus Minnesota and third overall in that same span. He had the game-winner this time and the last.

For the 76th minute, Wodolowski’s attempt was set up when Francisco Calvo was called for a handball when he blocked Hoesen’s shot.

Wondolowski made a bit of a straightaway shot for the 3-1 cushion. It was San Jose’s first decision of the season that went beyond a goal.

The Quakes were not without their share of luck however.

San Jose was fortunate when Christian Ramirez hit the crossbar 41st minute. Calvo also came close when he hit the near post in the 90th minute. Minnesota was a victim of the post in their last MLS game as well.

The Quakes got the lead goal for the first time since April 14. In just the second minute, Magnus Eriksson converted on an early penalty kick to the bottom left corner as goalie Bobby Shuttleworth went to his left. Robert Jonas notably mentioned that “it was the first time since May 2014 that someone other than Wondolowski attempted a penalty kick” for San Jose. Anibal Godoy got the “assist.”

In the 24th minute, Quakes’ goalie Andrew Tarbell was able to parry away the ball first, with a defender behind him in the box hoping to connect with the ball.

However, in the 26th minute, Shea Salinas gave the ball away to Ramirez, who one-timed a long arc into the bottom left corner of the net from the right corner of the box to even the score.

At the end of the first half, Eriksson, Hoesen and Vako each had two shots with one on target apiece for San Jose. Both teams received yellow cards for unsporting behavior.

There was stoppage in the 53rd minute due to two separate injuries. The Quakes’ Cummings came out only to return straight after. Jahmir Hyka was not as fortunate, but Wondolowski came in as the substitute.

A scary head-to-head collision occurred going for the ball between Florian Jungwirth and Calvo in the 85th minute. Both remained in the match.

Game Notes: Jungwirth also had an aerial clearance in the first half and when the Loons had momentum from one end to the other, as the lone defender on the field, Jungwirth was able to keep up and make a stop in the second. Minnesota’s Alexi Gomez had a game-high five shots. Eriksson had a career-high four shots.

Up Next: The Quakes will have their first short turnaround when they play again Wednesday at 7:30 pm PT to see Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Sharks stymied for first time in NHL playoffs in 7-0 shutout by Golden Knights

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: nhl.com/goldenknights

By Pearl Allison Lo

The San Jose Sharks became the one to suffer a 2018 Stanley Cup playoff loss first, as they were shut out 7-0 by the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 1 of the Western Conference second round at the T-Mobile Arena Thursday night.

Both teams were playing for the first time in over a week after they swept their previous opponents. It was a much more lopsided game than in the teams’ previous meetings and the Knights’ first win these playoffs by more than one goal.  

Vegas scored four goals in the first period, the first two just 26 seconds apart to set up the win along with three more goals on three shots.

Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves on the defensive end. It was his third shutout this postseason and second straight shutout.

Sharks goalie Martin Jones was removed during the game and Evander Kane received a game misconduct for cross-checking Pierre-Edouard Bellemare in the face while staring at him face-to-face.

11 different Knights had points. Jonathan Marchessault had a goal and two assists, Erik Haula, Alex Tuck and James Neal each had a goal and assist, William Karlsson and Reilly Smith each had three assists and David Perron had two assists.

After San Jose held Vegas on an early power play, the Knights exerted their strength beginning at 4:31 until 6:02.

Cody Eakin and Haula scored their second of the playoffs and Marchessault his first.

The game continued to trend downward for the Sharks when they followed their power play opportunity at 6:49 with a penalty 37 seconds after the end.

48 seconds later, San Jose went down to three men with another infraction. Tuck capitalized, as he weaved his way through four defenders to make it 4-0 at 11:43.

The Sharks got their own 5-on-3 chance later, but were unable to find the net.

San Jose ended the period with a flurry of shots versus Fleury (17 during the period) and Vegas had 15 blocked shots.   

Jones made two saves in the second, 14 seconds apart. However, Shea Theodore took Jones out of the game 40 seconds later, with the Knights’ fifth goal. Smith started the play by intercepting a pass at the other end. Theodore’s goal came at 3:28.  

Neal nearly had Vegas’ sixth goal and second on the power play at the end of the period, but it was negated.

While there were already a number of penalties in the game, the atmosphere was not chippy until the penalties at 3:25 of the third. First, Sharks captain Joe Pavelski received a slashing call after he just came out of the box 17 seconds earlier for interference. The bigger concurrent penalty came to Kane for cross-checking Bellemare in the face twice, which was a game misconduct.

This resulted in the Knights’ second 5-on-3 advantage and Colin Miller made San Jose pay with his first career playoff goal at 4:32.

Neal then got his goal with Vegas’ second straight on the power play, a quick wraparound.

The Sharks’ shots were few at first in the closing period, the first coming with 17:13 (shorthanded), 10:50 and 8:24 left.

Game Notes: It was San Jose goalie Aaron Dell’s playoff debut. He made 19 saves off 21 shots and his counterpart Jones made eight saves off 13 shots. The Knights’ William Carrier had a game-high eight hits. The Sharks’ Logan Couture had a game-high six shots on goal. Bellemare had a game-high five blocked shots.

Up Next: Game 2 will reconvene in Vegas at 5 pm PT Saturday.

Warriors fend off Spurs’ comeback to win 99-91 in Game 5 and advance to Western Conference Semifinals

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: nba.com/warriors

By Pearl Allison Lo

In the first game of the series in which neither the Golden State Warriors or the San Antonio Spurs scored 100 points, the Warriors prevailed in Game 5 with a 99-91 win at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night.

Golden State won the series 4-1 and led this contest ever since 10:49 left in the second. Their lead went up as much at 16 points. However, San Antonio got to within a layup’s distance with 57.2 seconds remaining in the game.

After a lackluster first half, the Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 of his 30 points in the second half. His Warriors’ counterpart, Kevin Durant, scored 17 of his 25 in the same time span.

After the 91-93 score, Durant replied with a two-point field goal after the timeout. Manu Ginobili lost the ball out of bounds and fouled Durant. Durant made his free throws and after another timeout, missed three straight beyond the arc attempts. Draymond Green got the rebound, Ginobili fouled him and the game ended with Green making free throws.

Aldridge also had 12 rebounds, Patty Mills scored 18 with four three-pointers, Klay Thompson scored 24 points, Green had a double-double of 17 points and 19 rebounds and Green and Ginobili each had a game-high seven assists.

The Warriors began with a 9-0 run until Aldridge got the Spurs their first points with 8:33 left. This was the start of an 8-0 run for San Antonio. Aldridge also had the first of the period’s three ties when he scored with 3:45 left. Ginobili gave San Antonio their only lead of the first with 1:58 left.

The Spurs had only one lead in the second also, with Rudy Gay making the first shot of the quarter. Starting with 8:54 left, San Antonio missed seven straight attempts while losing the ball twice in three minutes. Meanwhile, Thompson scored nine of his 11 points in the quarter, making nine of the team’s first 11 points. David West scored the other basket and its assist going to Thompson.

Thompson led with 17 after the first half, the only one in double-digits. Tied behind him was Mills and Gay with nine points apiece. From the field, the Spurs shot 31.1 % versus 47.6% for Golden State. The Warriors led 10-0 in fast break points.

The pace went up for both teams in the third. Golden State added to their fast break advantage with nine more points.

Next: The Western Conference Semifinals with the #2 seeded Golden State facing former Coach Alvin Gentry and the #6 seeded New Orleans Pelicans.

Sharks’ win streak ends at eight with 3-2 OT loss to Blues

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: NHL.com/blues

By Pearl Allison Lo

The St. Louis Blues ended San Jose’s win streak with a 3-2 overtime win at the Scottrade Center Tuesday.

It was the Blues’ fourth overtime win during their now six-game streak.

It was another close game for both teams and the Sharks’ second back-to-back game that went beyond regulation.  

St. Louis, however, was the more desperate team in the Wild Card race. With the win, they moved above the blue line alongside the Los Angeles Kings. Vladimir Tarasenko won the game with his second of the match, the only time the Blues led in the game.

San Jose lost forward Barclay Goodrow due to an upper-body injury just 1:56 into the game, but was still able to start out with the lead for the third game in a row. Evander Kane struck for the third game in a row with his fifth point during that time.

However, the Sharks left the period without the lead again as Oskar Sundqvist scored his first goal and first with St. Louis to tie it at 17:43.

San Jose able to go ahead again in the second. Brent Burns found Pavelski who hit the top left corner at 7:07. Pavelski now has 20 goals and Burns 50 assists. The power play goal ended the Blues’ three-game streak of limiting their opponents to a lone goal.

St. Louis duplicated the opening third by responding in the same period with their own on the man advantage. Tarasenko hit his mark at the top right corner from the middle of the right faceoff circle at 12:03. It was Tarasenko’s 30th goal on the season.

Both teams stayed tied at two apiece as they searched for the game-winner. The Blues had an especially spirited attack in the third starting with 7:45 left. In two minutes, St. Louis garnered two shots, two missed shots, one blocked shot and two hits.

The Sharks’ Logan Couture mentioned coach playing “three and a quarter lines” in the third and it “caught up to us.”

St. Louis had all three shots in overtime. Brayden Schenn had one of them, a blocked shot four seconds later and a missed shot. Alex Pietrangelo, who had a game-high five shots, had the Blues’ second shot.

Tarasenko’s goal came after Sobotka preoccupied San Jose at one end before receiving his backwards pass.

The Sharks lost Barclay Goodrow in the middle of the first period. Sharks coach Pete DeBoer after the game mentioned it as an upper-body injury, but the extent beyond that is murky.  

Game Notes: Jake Allen, who has been in net each game of the Blues’ win streak, made 22 saves in the win for St. Louis. On the other side, Aaron Dell made 29 saves in a losing effort for San Jose.

Up Next: The Sharks visit the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena Saturday at 5 pm PST.

Sharks edge Blackhawks 4-3 in shootout for eighth straight win

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

Photo credit: NHL.com/Sharks

By Pearl Allison Lo

San Jose Sharks’s Kevin Labanc went top-shelf short-side in the shootout to jump over the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 at the United Center Monday night.

This made the Sharks’ win streak into the longest since 2011.

In a much tighter battle then these two teams’ last meeting, it came down to shootout round No. 4. The Sharks’ Logan Couture scored in the first round and the Blackhawks’ Patrick Sharp scored in the third. San Jose goalie Martin Jones now has won seven straight.

Chicago is out of the playoffs, but they certainly did not play like it. San Jose made it 3-2 at 15:41 of the third, but Sharp returned the favor at 17:38.

The Blackhawks’ Alex DeBrincat had a goal and an assist.

The Sharks opened the scoring with a goal at 9:15 of the first. Jannik Hansen picked up a turnover, circled around the left faceoff circle and Marcus Sorensen was there to put in the lateral pass from across the goal line. It was Sorensen’s first goal since February 15.

However, Chicago eclipsed San Jose’s lead in a short span later. The tying goal came by way of an errant pass by Tomas Hertl as the puck moved quickly in the opposite direction. Vinnie Hinostroza shot from one side and DeBrincat made sure the laser rebound went into the net at 15:32. DeBrincat tied a team-high with his 26th goal.  

Connor Murphy followed to make it It 2-1 at 16:50. It was a long wait as the 25-year old birthday boy’s last goal came on November 9. Murphy retrieved a clear attempt and scored through a screen from the point as the puck went off goalie Martin Jones.

The Blackhawks retained the edge until Mikkel Boedker picked off a pass and connected with Evander Kane. Kane then went on a breakaway to score five-hole with his third goal in two games at 16:39 of the second.

The Sharks’ third goal took some physicality and finesse. Barclay Goodrow absorbed a hit and as the puck traveled, Hertl snapped it up and swiveled his way to a score.  

Sharp’s goal was surprising as well, as it bounced off Jones after he made the initial save. 

San Jose coach Pete DeBoer said of overtime, you “become a fan,” and it sure was entertaining.

Both goalies smothered early chances in the crease different ways, Chicago goalie Anton Forsberg falling back. Hertl reached up with his glove to help Jones after a save. Kane had another breakaway attempt but was unable to convert this time.

Both goalies were .500 in the shootout before it ended.

Game Notes: Kane had a game-high 10 shots. The most anyone else had was three.

Up Next: The Sharks will aim for win No. 9 with a back-to-back versus the Saint Louis Blues Tuesday at 5 pm PST.

Predators dominate Sharks 7-1; Rinne stops 32 shots, Preds pile on Sharks with four-goal third period

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

~ NHL.com photo

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne earned his 300th NHL win stopping 32 shots, as the San Jose Sharks lost 7-1 Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

The Predators tied a season-high with seven goals as they flipped 46 pucks towards Sharks goalie Aaron Dell. Nashville replied to the Sharks’ goal with four more.  

It was Dell’s first game since February 10. Dell faced a season-high in shots and goals. Dell was making his first regular-season appearance against Nashville. San Jose have a 1-10-1 record recently in the Music City.

Despite a mix of familiar and new with the Sharks’ Tomas Hertl returning after three games and newest member Eric Fehr making his debut, it was not San Jose’s time against the Central Division leaders.  Sharks’ defenseman Brent Burns described it as a “nightmare night, not fun to play.”

However, head coach Pete DeBoer mentioned he wouldn’t “overreact. It wasn’t a disaster from start to finish.”

San Jose’s power play continued to struggle, now 0-for-18 after five more attempts.

All of the Predators’ goals came from different members. Viktor Arvidsson, Nick Bonino, Ryan Johansen and Calle Jarnkrok added assists as well.

In the first period, Nashville struck early and late.

Dell found his body on the wrong side of the net when Bonino used a wraparound attempt. Bonino was able to get the puck in before Dell’s left skate reached the left post at 1:55.

Scott Hartnell made the Sharks see double when he took an opportune pass from Bonino and found a hole under Dell’s right arm with under a minute left.

Both teams scored in the second period.

With his dad in the arena, Logan Couture potted San Jose’s first goal for the second game.

Starting from the other end, Marc-Edouard Vlasic fished the puck from the boards and sent it to Justin Braun who raced forward. Couture took the puck, exchanged a back-and-forth with Kevin Labanc and fought to eventually score from behind the goal line at 8:39.

Jannik Hansen had two point-blank rockets versus Rinne less than a minute later.

However, the Predators regained their first period cushion when Fiala capitalized on a 2-on-1 at 15:57.

Nashville continued to march off to the races with Arvidsson, Johansen and Mattias Ekholm joining the rush at 3:49, 6:30 and 11 minutes of the third period, respectively.

Dell made a save facing Colton Sissons’ shorthanded breakaway attempt. It ended up in a penalty shot, which Dell blocked too.

Up Next: The Sharks will play the second of back-to-back games Friday, facing the Chicago Blackhawks for the first time this season at 5:30pm.

Sharks edge Blues 3-2 to extend winning streak to three games

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

~ Photo credit: NHL.com

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ The San Jose Sharks scored three goals off six shots as they extended their winning streak to three games after escaping with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center on Tuesday.

Both teams saw each other for the first time this season as the Blues lost a season-high four straight games.

The Sharks have scored three goals in their last three and held their opponents to two or less in their last four games.

Both Logan Couture and Mikkel Boedker got a goal and an assist apiece. Boedker, with seven points during his four-game goal streak, earned the game-winner with 4:06 left in regulation.    

Goalie Martin Jones made 31 saves and put together his and San Jose’s third straight win with a late game assist by Brent Burns. The Blues outshot the Sharks 24-11 during the last two periods.  

Marc-Edouard Vlasic had a chance near the end of the first that was redirected by Boedker and clanked off the right post.

After putting up zeroes in the first, both teams went the other way in the second with multiple goals each.

First, Couture cashed in after scooping up Boedker’s rebound and then lifting the puck at 6:35.

Less than two minutes later, Ivan Barbashev evened the sheet on a 2-on-1 from the left faceoff circle.

Undaunted, Joonas Donskoi made it 2-1 on a 3-on-2 from the right faceoff circle at the 12:05 mark. It was Donskoi’s first since January 13 as he hit almost the same spot in the net as Couture.

Boedker then put San Jose up 3-1 as he crashed the net and moved the puck underneath Carter Hutton’s right pad.

The Blues kept the game close though heading to the third. 10 seconds after drawing a penalty, Vladimir Tarasenko pulled his team back to within one. Vince Dunn got the primary assist as his shot went off Jones and rolled to Tarasenko. Tarasenko now has four points in his last three games.

With just over four minutes left in the game, Burns went fishing behind Jones to help keep Saint Louis at bay. Burns returned to continue his Iron man streak after missing the majority of the third period last game.

Game Notes: The Sharks’ recent power plays stand at 0-for-13. Sharks management made a pre-game trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs when they acquired Eric Fehr in exchange for a 2020 7th-round draft selection.

Up Next: The Sharks will take on the Nashville Predators Thursday at 5 pm PT for game two of their four-game road trip.