San Jose Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi of Finland keeps an eye on the puck during the first period. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
The San Joe Sharks have outscored the Blues 8-0 in three first periods. San Jose outscored St. Louis 16-7 in sweeping those games as the Sharks continued their mastery over the Blues in a 4-2 final Tuesday night at Scottrade Center.
The Blues (22-7-4), playing without injured forwards David Backes, Vladimir Sobotka and Jaden Schwartz, lost their second game in as many nights — they were beaten 3-2 in overtime by the Ottawa Senators on Monday. St. Louis got goals from defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Jay Bouwmeester. Jaroslav Halak stopped 23 shots, but has struggled early in games. Halak has allowed 14 goals in his past five starts, 10 on 50 shots in the first period, but coach Ken Hitchcock blames it more on sloppy defense.
San Jose’s Brent Burns scored his first goal in 10 games, Martin Havlat scored his third goal in 19 games, and Patrick Marleauand Justin Braun each had two assists. Antti Niemi stopped 20 shots for the Sharks, who won for the second time in seven games (2-4-1) and snapped a four-game road losing streak.
AUDIO Alex Steen and Halak on the loss (:25)
