Event of the Day: San Jose Sharks v St. Louis Blues
Our event of the day is Game 2 in the NHL Western Conference Finals series between the San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues at the SAP Center. San Jose overpowered the Blues in Game 1, running out 6-3 winners meaning they will take a one game lead going into tonight’s clash. But St. Louis are no strangers to coming from behind in a series, having managed to overcome the Dallas Stars in the last round after winning two straight games to overturn a 3-2 deficit, and they will have to draw on that experience to get their noses in front this time round against San Jose. San Jose’s playoff story was almost over before it even begun when in round 1 they found themselves 3-1 down against a dominant Vegas Golden Knights side. Despite recovering from that early wobble, they have looked far from convincing in the postseason thus far, having narrowly won both series after two thrilling game 7’s. They will hope for a far less dramatic series against the Blues and made the best possible start after claiming victory on Saturday night.
Logan Couture and Timo Meier both grabbed braces in that game and they will be hoping to improve upon their impressive recent goal scoring form to double their series lead over the St. Louis Blues. The St. Louis-based outfit also had to rely on a Game 7 win to secure their place in the Conference Finals and find themselves with it all to do once more after falling behind after Saturday’s meeting. They were far from favourites to lift the Stanley Cup heading into the playoffs, having finished third in the Central Division. However, should they manage to restore parity in the series tonight, they will fancy their chances to go ahead later in the week as the sides travel to Scottrade Center, where the Blues have impressed all year. They will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2016 Conference Finals, on which occasion the Sharks dumped the Blues out of the competition, winning 4-2 as they went on to falter in the Stanley Cup finals. It should be a thrilling night of hockey.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to Stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia as one of cycling’s most thrilling races continues. Pascal Ackermann set the pace in Stage 2, but this gruelling stage could prove one of the toughest, with its rolling hills and testing terrain set to push the cyclists to their limits. In Serie A, Inter Milan will be desperate to secure Champions League qualification for next term as they welcome Chievo to the San Siro. Elsewhere, the MLB season continues today as the Seattle Mariners host the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park. In the tennis, Marin Čilić is in action at the Italian Open today as he faces home-crowd favourite Andrea Basso as both players look to book their spot in the last 32. Finally, Day 4 of the Ice Hockey World Championships gets underway today in Slovakia as USA face Finland and the hosts do battle with Canada.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by NHL