Don't be singin' the blues

After watching tonight's game, I'm thoroughly convinced that playing the Blues is a much better matchup than playing the Canucks. Here's why:

1). Youth Infusion: The Blues, though they do have so me veterans, have a lot of young studs who haven't experienced Stanley Cup Playoff hockey.  As we saw tonight, the Sharks overcame obstacles, yet again, to find a way to win.

2). Streaking Sharks: The Sharks are coming into this series with two upset wins.  I say that they are upsets because they have come from behind and that's not an easy thing to do, and suggest that the team is willing to battle to find a way to win.

3). McLellan vs. Hitchcock: This is going to be a great matchup.  Hitchcock is a great defensive coach and is very much about having a system, whereas McLellan has his puck possession style, he's a master tactician in gauging other teams.  How else do you suggest the Sharks have found ways to send Detroit packing the past two seasons? This will be a great battle and I believe The Grey Man can win.

4). Big Pavelski and Dan Boyle: I love these two guys. Boyle came up big tonight, twice.  He's on it and he's the true leader of this team.  Pavelski always brings his game during the first round.  I think he's going to be huge and it's going to be tough for guys like Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk to find ways to shut him down with Jumbo Joe making room for him.

I have to admit, I'm excited to see the youth movement and how this plays out, but I really do think that this will be a lot of low scoring games, with the occasional lop-sided win.

I predict the Sharks in 6 because of their playoff experience and I truly believe that will trump St. Louis.  I just don't see Halak or Elliot going crazy, though that could happen.  Once the Sharks get their game going, they can beat any team in the league, lets just hope it's not 3 games into the series.  As long as they bring their best efforts from the first puck drop on, they have this series and it really is up to them.  That's been the theme this year.  Their fate is in their hands and no team is in their way, but themselves.  Sure, other teams have played better, but there is no reason why the Sharks can't match any other team in the Western Conference.  It just takes some heart and some lucky playoff bounces in their favor.

As always,

Go Sharks!