The San Jose Sharks will attempt to complete a series sweep of the St. Louis Blues in Game 3 of their Stanley Cup Playoff matchup tonight, a contest that has generated a massive surge in search traffic as fans scramble for broadcast and streaming details.
Google Trends data shows searches for "sharks vs blues" spiking sharply in the hours before puck drop, with queries concentrated in California and Missouri. The series has been defined by San Jose's special teams dominance; the Sharks have converted on 28.6 percent of their power-play opportunities through the first two games, while holding St. Louis to just one goal on eleven chances with the man advantage.
San Jose took Game 1 by a score of 3-2 in overtime before cruising to a 4-0 shutout in Game 2. Goaltender Martin Jones stopped all 26 shots he faced in the second contest, recording his fourth career playoff shutout. Blues netminder Jake Allen was pulled midway through the second period after allowing three goals on 14 shots.
The Blues now face elimination on home ice at Scottrade Center, a venue where they posted a 24-12-5 record during the regular season. St. Louis has not been swept in a playoff series since 2001, when the Colorado Avalanche dispatched them in four straight games during the Western Conference Finals.
Injury concerns continue to mount for St. Louis. Forward Vladimir Tarasenko, who led the team with 39 goals during the regular season, has been held to just one assist through two games and appeared limited during Tuesday's practice. Head coach Mike Yeo declined to comment on Tarasenko's status, telling reporters only that "we'll see who's ready to go come game time."
San Jose head coach Peter DeBoer has emphasized discipline throughout the series. The Sharks have taken just six minor penalties through two games, compared to 14 for St. Louis. "We're not chasing the game," DeBoer said following Monday's victory. "We're making them chase us."
Puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will air nationally on NBCSN, with local broadcasts available in the Bay Area and St. Louis markets. A San Jose win would send the Sharks to the Western Conference Final for the second time in four seasons.
