Sharks Clinch First-Ever Trip to the Stanley Cup Final With Win Over Blues
By Kevin Kurz CSN Bay Area ••
The quarter-century wait is officially over.
For the first time in the 25-year history of the franchise, the Sharks have moved on to the Stanley Cup Final, beating the Blues on Wednesday night at SAP Center, 5-2.
Joel Ward scored twice while Joe Pavelski, Joonas Donskoi and Logan Couture added third period goals as San Jose won the Western Conference Final series 4-2.
The Sharks will face the winner of the Penguins-Lightning series in the Stanley Cup Final, beginning on Monday. Should the Lightning win Game 7 on Thursday, the series would start in San Jose. It would begin in Pittsburgh if the Penguins, who won Game 6, prevail.
The Sharks scored one goal in each of the first two periods before putting it away in the third.
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SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Melker Karlsson #68 of the San Jose Sharks controls the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Patric Hornqvist #72 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for the puck with Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks during the third period in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a shot on Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks in the third period in Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 12: An image is shown of NHL legend Gordie Howe during Game Six of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. Howe passed away on June 10 at the age of 88. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Paul Martin #7 of the San Jose Sharks skates for position against Olli Maatta #3 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in Game Five of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins falls to the ice after colliding with Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period in Game Five of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Tommy Wingels #57 of the San Jose Sharks skates for the puck against Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period in Game Five of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins collides into Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period in Game Five of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 09: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins gives up a goal to Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks during the first period in Game Five of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 9, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 06: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks allows a goal to Ian Cole #28 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period of Game Four of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 6, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 06: Dainius Zubrus #9 of the San Jose Sharks passes the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Four of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on June 6, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - JUNE 06: A general view prior to Game Four of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on June 6, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 01: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Two of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 1, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 01: Melker Karlsson #68 of the San Jose Sharks slides into the net after a play against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game Two of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on June 1, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with teammates after scoring a second period goal against Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins (not pictured) in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Nick Bonino #13 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates after scoring a third period goal against Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks and Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 react after being defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Brian Dumoulin #8 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks fall on the ice during the second period in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Patrick Marleau #12 of the San Jose Sharks scores a second period goal against Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Joel Ward #42 of the San Jose Sharks reacts during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Roman Polak #46 of the San Jose Sharks battle for the puck during the first period in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 30: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save during the first period against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game One of the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center on May 30, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Matt Kincaid/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly presents the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl to Joe Pavelski #8 and the San Jose Sharks after their 5-2 win over the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks shakes hands with Kevin Shattenkirk #22 of the St. Louis Blues after the Sharks beat the Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks shakes hands with Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues after the Sharks beat the Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly awards Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl for winning the Western Conference Final after they beat the St. Louis Blues in Game Six during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: The San Jose Sharks celebrate after Logan Couture #39 scored an empty net goal late in the third period to give the Sharks a 5-2 against the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks after they beat the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44, Chris Tierney #50 and Justin Braun #61 after defeating the St. Louis Blues 5-2 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final to advance to the the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joe Thornton #19 and Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrate with Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks after they beat the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: The San Jose Sharks celebrate after they beat the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: The San Jose Sharks celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Blues 5-2 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final to advance to the the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Final at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joonas Donskoi #27 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal with teammates Paul Martin #7, Patrick Marleau #12 and Logan Couture #39 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joel Ward #42 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after scoring on his second goal on Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joel Ward #42 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal with teammates in Game Six of the Western Conference Final against the St. Louis Blues during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Carl Gunnarsson #4 of the St. Louis Blues controls the puck against Tomas Hertl #48 and Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Dainius Zubrus #9 of the San Jose Sharks controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues with Joe Thornton #19, Brent Burns #88, Tomas Hertl #48 and Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal against the St. Louis Blues with Joe Thornton #19 and Tomas Hertl #48 in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 25: A view of towels on the seats prior to game six of the Western Conference Final between the San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 25, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with Joe Thornton #19, Joe Pavelski #8, Logan Couture #39, and Patrick Marleau #12 after scoring a second period goal against Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 17, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 19: Kyle Brodziak #28 of the St. Louis Blues checks Nick Spaling #16 of the San Jose Sharks in game three of the Western Conference Finals during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 19: A view of pregame ceremonies prior to game three of the Western Conference Finals between the San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with Joe Thornton #19, Joe Pavelski #8, Logan Couture #39, and Patrick Marleau #12 after scoring a second period goal against Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 17, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues falls to the ice during the second period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 17, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks makes a save during the first period against the St. Louis Blues in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 17, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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ST LOUIS, MO - MAY 17: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates with Joe Thornton #19 after scoring a second period goal against Brian Elliott #1 of the St. Louis Blues (not pictured) in Game Two of the Western Conference Final during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center on May 17, 2016 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: James Neal #18 of the Nashville Predators skates away from Chris Tierney #50 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Goalie Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks and Roman Polak #46 of the San Jose Sharks are able to stop Colton Sissons #10 of the Nashville Predators from scoring in the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by teammates after he scored a goal on Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators in the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Joe Pavelski #8 and Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks are congratulated by teammates after Pavelski scored a goal against the Nashville Predators in the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by Joe Thornton #19 and Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks after he scored a goal against the Nashville Predators in the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks scores a goal past Shea Weber #6 and goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators in the first period of Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 12, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 09: Mike Ribiero #63 of the Nashville Predators collides with Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks during the first period of Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 9, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 09: Chris Tierney #50 of the San Jose Sharks is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period of Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 9, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 05: Paul Martin #7, Joonas Donskoi #27, Joel Ward #42, and Tomas Hertl #48 celebrate after the game tying goal against of the Nashville Predators during the second period of Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 5, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 05: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators checks Matt Nieto #83 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period of Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 5, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 05: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators defends against Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period of Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 5, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 05: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators slides into position to make a save against Joonas Donskoi #27 of the San Jose Sharks during the second period of Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 5, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 05: Colin Wilson #33 of the Nashville Predators celebrates after scoring a goal against goalie Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks during the first period of Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 5, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 03: Roman Josi #59 and Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators tie up Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks in front of goalie Pekka Rinne #35 during the second period of Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 3, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 03: Patrick Marleau #12 of the San Jose Sharks and Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators watch the puck during the second period of Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 3, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 29: Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks tries to skate away from Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 29, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 29: Chris Tierney #50 of the San Jose Sharks tries to put a shot on goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators while covered by Barret Jackman #5 of the Nashville Predators in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 29, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 29: A shot taken by Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators (not pictured) goes past Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks for a goal in the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 29, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 29: Mike Fisher #12 of the Nashville Predators tries to skate away from Justin Braun #61 of the San Jose Sharks in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 29, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 22: Chris Tierney #50 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal with Roman Polak #46 and Tommy Wingels #57 to take a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round in the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 22: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks attempts a deek on Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings during the first period of Game Five of the Western Conference First Round in the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Matt Nieto #83 of the San Jose Sharks collides with Brayden McNabb #3 and Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings in the second period in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Rob Scuderi #7 of the Los Angeles Kings is called for tripping on Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after he scored a goal in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after he scored a goal in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Milan Lucic #17 of the Los Angeles Kings and Justin Braun #61 of the San Jose Sharks go for the puck in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Tanner Pearson #70 of the Los Angeles Kings checks Roman Polak #46 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Kyle Clifford #13 of the Los Angeles Kings and Roman Polak #46 of the San Jose Sharks go for the puck in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 20: Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks checks Kris Versteeg #10 of the Los Angeles Kings in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the NHL 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 20, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Dwight King #74 of the Los Angeles Kings collides with Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks as he celebrates the shorthanded goal of Trevor Lewis #22 in front of Joe Thornton #19 to take a 3-2 lead during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Brent Burns #88 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates his goal to take a 2-1 lead over the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings makes a save on Melker Karlsson #68 of the San Jose Sharks in front of Alec Martinez #27 during the first period in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on April 14, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
A crazy sequence was capped off with Pavelski opening the scoring. It started with Martin Jones, who got just enough of an Alex Steen shot with his glove before the Sharks transitioned the other way. Joe Thornton lifted the puck high on a breakaway, but stayed with it behind the net and tapped it to Pavelski, who tucked it through Brian Elliott at 3:57.
San Jose kept its foot on the gas for the rest of the period and into the second in eventually increasing its lead. Brent Burns harmless looking floater from along the wall and just inside the blue line was redirected by Ward, stationed in front of the net at 5:02.
Three straight penalties later in the middle frame presented the Sharks with a chance to increase their advantage, but it didn’t happen. They couldn’t get anything going after Troy Brouwer’s undisciplined elbow to Donskoi’s head in the neutral zone, and then failed to score on a four-minute double minor to Scottie Upshall for high-sticking Tommy Wingels.
St. Louis seized the momentum at that point, but Jones helped preserve the 2-0 cushion until the intermission. His best stop came on a Jori Lehtera one-timer with 9:10 to go, getting his left pad on the hard blast by the Blues’ center.
The Sharks tacked on two more in the third. Ward got behind St. Louis’ Dmitrij Jaskin and poked a Couture pass into a wide open net at 3:01 for his fourth goal in the last two games.
About five minutes later, Donskoi finished off a nice passing sequence from Patrick Marleau and Couture, whipping it through at 8:11 to effectively put the game away.
Vladimir Tarasenko scored a pair late. His first point of the series came with 8:21 to go in the third, and he brought the Blues back to within 4-2 when he jammed it through Jones at 16:25 with the goalie off for an extra attacker.
The Sharks survived a few nervous moments after that as the Blues continued to pressure with the goalie pulled, but Couture put it away with an empty net goal with 19.7 seconds left.
The Sharks improved to 8-0 in the playoffs when leading after two periods. They have outscored the opposition 29-14 in the third period overall.
