Sharks Unable to Overcome Game 2 Hex in Loss to Blues
By NBC Sports Bay Area ••
The dreaded Game 2 hex persisted for the San Jose Sharks on Monday night as they lost to the St. Louis Blues 4-2 in the second game of their Western Conference Final series at SAP Center.
The best-of-seven series is now tied 1-1 as the teams head for St. Louis.
It's the third straight Stanley Cup Playoffs series in which San Jose has won the opener then dropped Game 2.
Logan Couture erased a two-goal San Jose deficit with two tallies in the second period to tie the game, but it would be all the scoring the Sharks could muster.
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 21: Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues makes a save against Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 21, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 21: Dylan Gambrell #7 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal on Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 21, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 21: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save against the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 21, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 21: Justin Braun #61 of the San Jose Sharks reacts against the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 21, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 21: Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues scores a goal on Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 21, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues takes a shot against Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 19, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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The puck flies past Jay Bouwmeester #19 of the St. Louis Blues and Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 19, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Melker Karlsson #68 of the San Jose Sharks takes a shot against Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 19, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 15: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks gives up the go ahead goal scored by David Perron #57 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after scoring a goal on Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during the third period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks fights with Ivan Barbashev #49 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 15: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with Barclay Goodrow #23 and Brenden Dillon #4 after scoring a goal on Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 15: Joel Edmundson #6 of the St. Louis Blues checks Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 15: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after scoring a goal on Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MAY 15: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks falls to the ice after colliding with Jay Bouwmeester #19 of the St. Louis Blues during the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Enterprise Center on May 15, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks scores a goal against Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 13, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: A view of pregame ceremonies prior to Game Two of the Western Conference Final between the San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 13, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: Brayden Schenn #10 of the St. Louis Blues fights for possession with Melker Karlsson #68 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 13, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues with Timo Meier #28 and Brenden Dillon #4 in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 13, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks tried to block a shot by Oskar Sundqvist #70 of the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 13, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 13: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after a goal against the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 13, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks tends goal against the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 11, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks looks for the puck against Vince Dunn #29 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 11, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks scores a goal against Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 11, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues tends goal against Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 11, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after scoring a goal on Jordan Binnington #50 of the St. Louis Blues during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 11, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Tomas Hertl #48 and Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Kevin Labanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks shoots on goal getting his shot past the stick of Nikita Zadorov #16 of the Colorado Avalanche during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Tyson Barrie #4 of the Colorado Avalanche and Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks fights for control of the puck during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Joe Pavelski #8, Tomas Hertl #48, Evander Kane #9, Brenden Dillon #4 and Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after Hertl scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Goalie Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks blocks the shot of Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after he scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 08: Joe Pavelski #8, Tomas Hertl #48 and Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after Pavelski scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the first period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 8, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 06: Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche fights for the puck against Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks in the first period during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 06: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche advances the puck against Barclay Goodrow #23 of the San Jose Sharks in the first period during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 06: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks advances the puck against Matt Nieto #83 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 06: Tyson Jost #17 of the Colorado Avalanche brings the puck out from behind the net against Joakim Ryan #47 and Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks in the first period during Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks is called for a cross-checking penalty for checking Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche into the boards during the second period in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 4, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Goalie Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks blocks the shot of Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 4, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Colin Wilson #22 of the Colorado Avalanche and Barclay Goodrow #23 of the San Jose Sharks trade punches with each other during the first period in Game Five of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 4, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 02: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche advances the puck against Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks in the second period during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 02: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche squares off against Micheal Haley #18 of the San Jose Sharks in the first period during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 02: Fans line the glass for warmups before the Colorado Avalanche play the San Jose Sharks during Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 2, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 30: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks scores a goal past Cale Makar #8 and goalie Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Colorado Avalanche in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 30: Tyson Barrie #4 of the Colorado Avalanche adavnces the puck against Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period during Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 30: Gustav Nyqvist #14 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by Logan Couture #39 and Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 after scoring a goal to regain the lead against the Colorado Avalanche in the third period during Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, COLORADO - APRIL 30: Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks fights for the puck against J.T. Compher #37 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period during Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on April 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 28: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks passes the puck against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 28, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 28: Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks spins away from Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 28, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 28: Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks players wrestle in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 28, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 28: Evander Kane #9 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 28, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 26: Goalie Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks blocks the shot of Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images )
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 26: Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks collides up against the boards with Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. The Sharks won the game 5-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images )
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 26: Derick Brassard #18 of the Colorado Avalanche gaining control of the puck trips up Melker Karlsson #68 of the San Jose Sharks during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images )
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Barclay Goodrow #23 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by teammates after he scored the game winning goal in overtime against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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A general view as San Jose Sharks players celebrate their overtire win against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Barclay Goodrow #23 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 and Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks after he scored the game winning goal in overtime against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Barclay Goodrow #23 of the San Jose Sharks scores a goal in overtime against Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks receives treatment on the ice after being injured in the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Kevin Labanc #62 of the San Jose Sharks shoots the puck through Mark Stone #61 and Brayden McNabb #3 of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Timo Meier #28 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates a goal in the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Marcus White
Watch Sharks score four fast goals in Game 7 after Joe Pavelski injury
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Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks trips Brandon Pirri #73 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Erik Karlsson #65 of the San Jose Sharks tries to control the puck against William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights in the second period of Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights tries to get a rebound after Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks blocked a shot in the second period of Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks shoots a game-winning short-handed goal at 11:17 of the second overtime period against Shea Theodore #27 of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The series is now even at 3-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Here are three takeaways from Game 2:
St. Louis had the depth scoring: While the Blues got on the board in the first frame thanks to their top line, they also got depth contributions from Vince Dunn, Robert Bortuzzo, and Oskar Sundqvist. That's the kind of contribution the Sharks could benefit from getting more of in this series.
Outside of Kevin Labanc’s goal in Game 1, San Jose’s big guns have been carrying the offense so far through this series. If they’re going to knock the Blues out of the playoffs, they need to get contributions from more than just their top six.
The penalty kill kept it close: San Jose could’ve been in a much deeper hole in Game 2 had their kill not brought its A-game. Even before Couture scored a short-handed goal in the second period, the kill was generating offense and causing St. Louis’ power play fits.
Credit has to be given to Melker Karlsson and Joonas Donskoi in particular for their work in Game 2. Killing penalties isn’t exactly the most glamorous job on the ice, but it has been a big key to San Jose’s success in the latter part of these playoffs. There’s no doubt the Sharks would prefer to just play a very clean game, but at least they have a solid penalty kill to rely on.
Couture keeps on rolling: Before the start of Game 2, Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer was asked what makes Couture so effective in the playoffs. DeBoer confessed he didn’t know, adding that there are just, “guys in the history of the game that have that ability.” That ability was on premium display in the second period of Monday’s game when Couture dug the Sharks out of a two-goal hole by scoring twice in a span of 1:59 to tie things up 2-2.
