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2016 NHL Futures – Series Picks
Looking for Sharks vs. Blues free series predictions & playoff picks? You’ve come to the right place if you’re searching for NHL Futures.Two teams who had to grind their way to 7 game series wins last round meet in the Western Conference finals as the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks meet starting on Saturday Cappers Picks covers all 2016 NHL Playoff series – so check back as we’ll be adding more.
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NHL Betting – San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues Western Conference Finals Series Preview and Picks
Rest is not an option for either one of these teams.
Both teams had to scratch and claw their way to a 7 game series win in the 2nd round of the NHL Playoffs, leaving only a few days between their 7th game and this Game 1.
The Sharks and Predators exchanged home wins in their series, but luckily for San Jose, it was them who had home ice and took the decisive Game 7 with rather ease.
As for the Blues, they and the Stars continued to steal road games, but it was the Blues who had the last laugh as they went on the road in Dallas for Game 7 and routed the Stars 6-1.
Now the two teams will meet who both offer solid offensive firepower. Who has the edge here? Let’s break it down.
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues Series Lines
- San Jose Sharks +112
- St. Louis Blues -132
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues Series Schedule
- SUN MAY 15, 2016 SHARKS BLUES 7:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- TUE MAY 17, 2016 SHARKS BLUES 7:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- THU MAY 19, 2016 BLUES SHARKS 8:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- SAT MAY 21, 2016 BLUES SHARKS 6:15 PM CBC, NBC, TVAS
- MON MAY 23, 2016 SHARKS BLUES 7:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- WED MAY 25, 2016 BLUES SHARKS 8:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
- FRI MAY 27, 2016 SHARKS BLUES 7:00 PM CBC, NBCSN, TVAS
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues Series Forwards
The Sharks have a solid compliment of forwards who can really put the pressure on the opposition.
It starts with the Captain, Joe Pavelski. He showed he has the ability to put this Sharks offense on his back and really carry them. He sparked the offense in Game 7 against Nashville with a power play goal and compiled 7 points total in the series.
Logan Couture and Joe Thornton both offer other solid options for this Sharks offense. They have the ability to score in bunches and completely flip the script on games.
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For the Blues, they too have so many weapons up front.
It starts with Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen on that front line. The duo has been so dangerous this postseason as they combined for 12 points in the series against Nashville. It was Tarasenko who also netted a goal in the Game 7 route.
The Blues also have some support within the other lines from David Backes to Paul Stastny. This team has a lot of weapons and can really make it a nightmare for the opposition.
Verdict: There really is no strong edge for either team here. They both have solid first lines, but it’s the rest of the lines that make the difference for these two teams.
They have so many weapons that can change a game or even a series. The key here in the forward spot will end up being which team can find the back of the net not just once, but twice in a short amount of time. The momentum will be switching back and forth all series long, so whoever can hold onto it the longest will be in good shape.
San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues Series Defense and Goaltending
Like their offensive fire power, both teams have the defensive players that are so good on both sides of the puck.
The Sharks defensive core is led by Brent Burns. The star defenseman has compiled 75 points on the season and has been a crucial part to this team on the defensive end. With 4 goals and 11 assists this postseason, Burns provides the Sharks with a threat on both sides of the puck.
He’s had some crucial blocks in front of net and has been such a solid blue line presence offensively.
In goal, Marin Jones has been about as good as you can get. He’s shown many flashes of brightness and came up huge by posting a shutout in Game 7, when his team needed him the most.
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For the Blues Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk lead a solid defensive core. At one point during the regular season they were the best in terms of GAA. Like the Sharks defense, the Blues have so many dual threat weapons.
The duo has combined for 17 points this postseason.
In net, Brian Elliot has had a rollercoaster of a postseason. He’s had games where the opposition had zero chance of getting one by him, but then theres been times where he has shown spurts of allowing goals in bunches.
However, Elliot came up huge in Game 7 when he allowed just 1 goal and shut the Stars down for the first two periods. He never allowed the Stars to gain any early momentum in that game, which really set the tone.
Verdict: These teams are just so similar in both aspects. Give the slight edge to the Sharks here. Jones has been a bit more consistent in goal and with the ability of the Sharks defense to set up goals and even score them, they have an advantage here.
Sharks vs. Blues Free Series Predictions:
This series is bound to be a close one. Expect a few overtimes games to be mixed in here, given the similarities of both teams.
With that in mind, this has 7 games written all over it.
With the Blues having home ice, they get the edge here, as San Jose struggled last series on the road.
St. Louis Blues in 7
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