GDT #41: 1/8/15 | 7:00PM CST | v Sharks | FSMW/KMOX

[dmiles2186]

The St. Louis Blues embarrassed the San Jose Sharks last weekend in ending their series losing streak.

St. Louis' offense is still surging, but San Jose is looking to redeem itself after two narrow victories since its blowout defeat.

The Blues open a season-high seven-game homestand Thursday night against the Sharks.

St. Louis (24-13-3) averaged 2.6 goals through its first 26 games, but is scoring 3.9 per game during an 8-5-1 stretch. Its league-best power play has 17 goals on 48 chances in that span, including 6 for 14 over the last three games. The Blues scored three times on five opportunities with the man advantage in Tuesday's 6-0 win at Arizona.

David Backes scored four goals during a 17-minute span, becoming the fifth different St. Louis player with a hat trick this season. T.J. Oshie recorded one in Saturday's 7-2 win at San Jose.

Jaden Schwartz has scored a goal in three straight games and four of his last five. He also has three assists in his last four games. Alexander Steen has two goals and seven assists over his last four games, with three of those points coming on the power play in a Dec. 30 loss at Anaheim.

"It's fun to be a part of," Oshie said. "It's a balanced offense. Guys are going to get hot at different times. Lines are going to get hot at different times. We like to throw four lines at teams and when that happens, you wear guys down."

St. Louis had two goals on four power plays against the Sharks while ending a four-game skid in the series, which included a 3-2 road overtime loss on Dec. 20. Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk each had a goal and a career high-matching three assists Saturday, while Schwartz has two goals and three assists in his last three meetings.

San Jose (22-14-5) has given up six power-play goals on 16 chances over its last six games and has allowed three-plus goals in five of seven, but is seeking a fourth straight road win after Tuesday's 4-3 overtime victory at Minnesota.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic scored the winner 3:09 into the extra period, a night after he scored with five seconds remaining in a 3-2 win at Winnipeg.

"The St. Louis game we didn't play. We played shinny hockey, basically," Vlasic said. "We weren't very good. We have a day off (Wednesday) so we'll feel refreshed and go into St. Louis where we owe them a better game."

Vlasic had scored twice in his previous 28 games before scoring in each of the last two. His three game-winners this season are one shy of his total from his previous eight seasons.

"He's taking the shot, which is a lesson for all of us," coach Todd McLellan said. "He's got a hot hand. Get him the puck and let him shoot it."

Joe Pavelski has three goals and three assists in his last five games versus St. Louis.

The Sharks have won three of four meetings in St. Louis.

[not_a_wings_fan]

...huh?

[Portland Blues]

We're doomed!

[STLADOGG]

Oh sweet, we get to play the Coyotes again tonight lol.

[abc789987]

Let's keep it rolling! The Sharks are one of the few playoff bound teams we've got points off of each time we played them.... So, we probably due to get smoked...

[dmiles2186]

What are you guys talking about? Nothing to see here!

...huh?

We're doomed!

[dmiles2186]

Oh sweet, we get to play the Coyotes again tonight lol.

Need to get yer eyes checked, mang!

[ComradeT]

What are you guys talking about? Nothing to see here!

...huh?

We're doomed!

Probably this:

The Sharks have won three of four meetings in St. Louis.

[STLADOGG]

What are you guys talking about? Nothing to see here!

...huh?

We're doomed!

Probably this:

The Sharks have won three of four meetings in St. Louis.

Lol dmiles.

[glen a richter]

Miles, you maroon. You're fired!

[drwoland]

Blues 4
Sharks 2

Just keep winnin, baby! Nashville 5 points ahead with a game in hand. They'll cool off as the season goes off, I have no doubt. We gotta be rolling full steam ahead to catch em and pass em.. especially since the Hawks look like the same ole' Hawks of the past few seasons. No dicking around!

[dmiles2186]

Miles, you maroon. You're fired!

Actually, I might need someone to do a GDT on Saturday because I'm leaving my house early and might not have a chance to post one. So, you know, be my guest.

Also, I don't know what you're talking about. Everything is perfect with this GDT.

[cardsfan04]

Blues 4
Sharks 2

Just keep winnin, baby! Nashville 5 points ahead with a game in hand. They'll cool off as the season goes off, I have no doubt. We gotta be rolling full steam ahead to catch em and pass em.. especially since the Hawks look like the same ole' Hawks of the past few seasons. No dicking around!

I think so too. They fell a few points behind us and Chicago a few weeks ago and I thought that was the start of their drift to irrelevance. Now, they're back which surprises me. I still don't think they're that great though and it wouldn't surprise me if they go on like a 10 game losing streak at some point to fall back where they belong. They just have the feel of a team that gets out to a hot start and overachieves on a false sense of confidence before falling off a cliff the second half of the season.

[gaijin]

2 points, please.

[cprice12]

I'll be at this game with the family. It's my nephew's birthday and we're all going.

So obviously that means we'll win.

The last time I was at a Blues-Sharks game was the 2OT loss to kick off the playoffs a few years ago.

[cardsfan04]

Bruins Assistant GM will be there tonight. I guess those rumors are going to start back up.

[glen a richter]

Prediction? The Blues won't score 7 again, but will still do enough offensive damage. Jaskin gets on the scoresheet again... twice.

[WaukeeBlues]

Another beatdown please? I doubt it, but that'd be nice

Blues 5
Sharks 0

[WaukeeBlues]

Up 3-1 after one. Worst lead in hockey, lets go boys...

[STLADOGG]

Drove Niemi out of the game, always good to see that.