2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Blues Vs. Sharks: San Jose Leads Series 1-0

The St. Louis Blues have some work to do. They battled hard on their home ice but couldn't break through a third time against Antti Niemi, while Jaroslav Halak clinched the 3-2 game one victory for the Sharks with with a slick shot off a pass from Ryane Clowe in the second overtime period to give San Jose an early advantage in the best-of-seven series. Now the Blues have seen the tables turn, as the home-ice advantage has been erased and things become more of an uphill battle than anything.

The staff over at SB Nation's Blues blog, St. Louis Game Time were disappointed in the result, but the key is how the No. 2 seed responds to the hit they absorbed in the first game:

The Blues, I thought, outplayed the Sharks for much of the game and were pretty even with them for the rest of it. Unfortunately, they seemed to forget that Antti Niemi is Antti Niemi. As has been the story all year, they got the majority of the shots, it was just that maybe the quality of shots just wasn't good enough.

Obviously, the sky will be falling for some fans - it's been a long time out of the playoffs for Blues fans, so that Game 1 took on heightened importance in most eyes. But, for the two women I saw crying, it's just one game. The key is how the team responds on Saturday to this disappointment. If they can take in the positives and eliminate the few negatives they did have, they should definitely get Game 2 under control.

Here's a look at that shot once, more if you can stand to bear it:

And here is the remaining schedule for the series. It could be a great one.

For all news and information regarding the St. Louis Blues, please visit St. Louis Game Time. For updates and perspective on the San Jose Sharks, head on over to Fear the Fin. For complete coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NHL hub.