BLUES VS. SHARKS
When: Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. CT
Where: Enterprise Center
Watch: FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports GO
Listen: Q94 101 ESPN, NHL App
Season series presented by BJC Healthcare: Tied 1-1
TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES The St. Louis Blues returned home on Monday after dropping a 1-0 decision to the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena.
Clayton Keller scored the game’s only goal in the second period. Jordan Binnington made 18 saves.
“They’re a tough team to forecheck, their goalie played well and made the saves he had to,” Brayden Schenn said after the game. “We worked hard, we competed, and I thought we deserved at least a goal. We just didn’t get the results with the goals.”
The Blues went 2-1 on the three-game road trip to complete a set of seven consecutive games against Arizona.
“I think we’re all ready to play somebody else,” Schenn added. “That’s enough. We can’t complain or be angry, we’re happy to be playing hockey, but at the same time, it’s going to be nice to play different opponents.”
On Wednesday, the Blues practiced at Enterprise Center and had three players battling injuries back on the ice: Torey Krug (upper-body), Marco Scandella (upper-body) and Sammy Blais (upper-body) skated. Jaden Schwartz (lower-body), Tyler Bozak (upper-body) and Colton Parayko did not practice.
SHARKS Logan Couture had a goal and an assist Monday to help the San Jose Sharks to a 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center.
It was San Jose’s first win of the season at home. The Sharks played their first 12 games on the road due to COVID-19 restrictions in California.
“I think I played all right the last few games,” said goalie Martin Jones, who made 26 saves Monday in his fourth consecutive start. “There’s always room for improvement. We’ve had a tough schedule up to this point.”
San Jose is 6-7-1 to begin the season.
Erik Karlsson (lower-body) and Radim Simek (upper body) were both out of the lineup Monday but are on the trip to St. Louis. Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner told reporters he’s hopeful Karlsson can play Thursday.
HEAD-TO-HEAD Including the postseason, the Blues are unbeaten in regulation in seven straight games against the Sharks, outscoring them 26-12 in those games. The Blues have won four of the last five games against San Jose at home.
Jordan Binnington is 6-2-1 in his career against the Sharks with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .917 save-percentage.
THE SERIES SO FAR
Jan. 18: Blues 5, Sharks 4
Justin Faulk scored two goals, Mike Hoffman netted his first as a Blue and Jordan Kyrou broke a 4-4 tie in the third period with his second game-winning goal of the season.
Jan. 20: Sharks 2, Blues 1 (SO)
Martin Jones made 22 saves and four more in a shootout to help the Sharks to a 2-1 win against the Blues at Enterprise Center. Brayden Schenn scored the Blues’ only goal, while Jordan Binnington made 37 saves.
