So far, so defensive for the Blues and Sharks. Neither team was looking to let the other get any good chances, as it should be. The Blues are outshooting the Sharks 7-4, but are pretty rough with San Jose.

No one expected the Blues to be shrinking violets; they have ten hits, two by T.J. Oshie and two by Scott Nichol, the former member of the San Jose Sharks. They’re winning in the face-off circle too with 59% of the draws taken. If they continue that, plus continue to play rough and tumble, their chances improve. As they learned against Phoenix last week, playing to skill does not trump playing to effort.