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St. Louis Blues Look to Set Tone in Game 1 Against San Jose Sharks

By Patrick Karraker

Feb 22, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Justin Braun (61) and St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) battle for position as goalie Martin Jones (31) defends the net during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Justin Braun (61) and St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) battle for position as goalie Martin Jones (31) defends the net during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sharks Lineup

One of the Sharks’ greatest strengths is the stability of their lineup, as they have used just 19 skaters (including the same six defensemen for every single contest) and one goalie through 12 games. That’s by far the fewest skaters utilized by any team remaining in the postseason, and they’re the only team not to have used two goalies during the playoffs. As a point of reference, the Blues (who have been much more conservative with lineup adjustments than either of their first two opponents, the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars) have used 21 skaters in 14 games.

There will be a definite feeling of sentimentality at Scottrade on Sunday, as defenseman Roman Polak–who became so notable for his 2012 beatdown of now-teammate Justin Braun during the Blues and Sharks’ first-round playoff series–will return to Scottrade Center for the first time as a member of the Sharks. Polak, who was traded for Carl Gunnarsson during the 2014 offseason, previously faced the Blues four times as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he went up against the Blues as a Shark on March 22 at SAP Center.

In addition, the Blues will get to face forward Dainius Zubrus, who in a way was a teammate of the players on this year’s Blues squad. The 37-year-old was with the Blues on a professional tryout deal during late October and early November as the team faced issues with multiple forward injuries. Zubrus would ultimately be let go as his fellow former New Jersey Devil, Martin Havlat, earned a contract, though both tryouts would prove to be rather fruitless, as Havlat left the Blues, effectively ending his NHL career, after just two games. Zubrus signed with the Sharks in late November and saw action in 50 regular season games.

Here’s what San Jose’s lineup is expected to look like on Sunday:

Tomas Hertl–Joe Thornton–Joe Pavelski

Patrick Marleau–Logan Couture–Joonas Donskoi

Melker Karlsson–Chris Tierney–Joel Ward

Dainius Zubrus–Nick Spaling–Tommy Wingels

Marc-Edouard Vlasic–Justin Braun

Paul Martin–Brent Burns

Brenden Dillon–Roman Polak

Martin Jones

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