We got another overtime Monday night (albeit not a long one) and two games that forced Game 7s on Wednesday night.
The San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues, two teams looking to change the perception of their franchises as choke artists you should never pick in playoff pools, are both one loss away from elimination after looking so strong at times in their second round series. Both have looked like Stanley Cup favourites on occasion and their predictable old selves on others.
So will they rewrite history on Wednesday night, or fall back into old habits? We’ll find out in less than 48 hours, barring overtimes.
Until then, though, here are four things we learned Monday night.
Fort McMurray Fire Relief: Help support those affected by the Fort McMurray fires. You can make a contribution at redcross.ca or by texting FIRES to 45678 to donate $10.
UH OH, SAN JOSE
The Sharks have looked so good through the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far, and even though they found themselves in a 3-2 series heading into Monday’s game they had, for the most part, outplayed the Predators through their Round 2 matchup. But Nashville was hanging around thanks largely to Pekka Rinne’s stellar play in net.
And although the Predators outshot the Sharks 32-18 in Game 6, it looked like San Jose had this one at a few different points in the game. The closest they got was after this costly high-sticking penalty on Miikka Salomaki led to a Logan Couture goal — San Jose was half a period away from returning to the Western Conference final.
But just a little less than two minutes later, the Predators tied it on a blown defensive coverage to force overtime.
Two minutes into the extra frame, Viktor Arvidsson scored on a beautiful backhander beer leaguers only dream of (see at the top) and now, somehow and suddenly, the same old question is being asked about this supposedly “different” Sharks team: Are they actually going to blow it again?
The Sharks also had a 2-0 lead in the first period and outshot Nashville 8-5 in that frame. But San Jose got outshot 27-10 the rest of the way, including overtime, and looked very beatable — not at all like the team that ousted the Kings in five games.
The good news for the Sharks? The home team has so far won every game in this series.
The bad news for the Sharks? It’s Game 7 — where anything can and will happen.
GOALTENDING CONTROVERSY BREWING IN ST. LOUIS?
Coming into Monday’s Game 6, this wasn’t even a talking point. Brian Elliott, who was a huge part of St. Louis’ defining series win over the Chicago Blackhawks, was the undeniable No. 1. Forget about Jake Allen. The Blues were doing, or dying, with Elliott in the crease.
Now, everything has changed.
Elliott was pulled after allowing three goals on just seven shots in this crucial game against Dallas. In came Allen, who didn’t allow another in 41:24 of relief (he also only faced seven shots).
So what now? Elliott hasn’t had a bad game like this yet in the playoffs. The closest thing he’s had to a bad start was a loss in Game 6 to Chicago in Round 1, in which he allowed five goals on 35 shots. But it’s not really comparable to a first period pull, is it? Elliott was put back in for Game 7 against the Hawks and stopped 31-of-33 shots to clinch the series.
What would you do? Keep in mind, Allen hasn’t started a game in more than a month. My money’s on Elliott starting.
MEANWHILE, DALLAS’ GOALIES KEEP STARS ALIVE – WHO’D A THUNK IT?
It’s no secret that the goaltending situation in Dallas is less than ideal. Antti Niemi’s save percentage sits at .872 and Kari Lehtonen has stolen the crease from him. But even he has had his ups and downs. Monday’s Game 6 was definitely an “up” moment.
The Stars looked like they were going to run away with this one, but after taking a 3-0 lead and chasing Elliott from the crease, they were on their heels the rest of the way.
And this is where Lehtonen saved the day.
After the goal that put Dallas up 3-0, St. Louis outshot the Stars 29-7 the rest of the way. While Lehtonen did allow two goals, he made some huge stops that kept the Stars in the lead, but none were bigger than this goal line stop in the dying seconds.
Dallas’ goalies have taken a ton of flak this post-season and is the No. 1 reason why many people (including yours truly) never really gave them a chance against the Blues. Too unreliable. Too inconsistent.
In Game 6, the Stars goaltending was too good.
DIRK NOWITZKI STANDS WITH THE STARS
So we’re not really surprised about this, but it’s a cool little show of camaraderie. Before the game, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki showed his support for the local NHL team.
And afterwards, he tweeted again.
Everybody loves a Game 7.
