Event of the Day: St. Louis Blues versus San Jose Sharks

Our event of the day is Game 6 of the NHL Western Conference Finals between the St. Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks at the Scottrade Center. After twice taking the lead in this series, San Jose now find themselves 3-2 behind overall and must secure victory tonight if they are to stand any chance of progressing to the Stanley Cup Finals. Meanwhile, a third consecutive win for St. Louis would mean they will face the Boston Bruins in the biggest series of them all later this month, as they go in search of their first ever Stanley Cup championship. The Missouri-based outfit had a respectable regular season, finishing fifth in the Western Conference, three places behind tonight’s opponents. Though they often struggled at the offensive end of the ice, their stubborn defence carried them through the season and the stingy defensive unit has continued to impress in the playoffs. Their defensive robustness was on display for all to see last time out, as they shut out the Sharks in a 5-0 demolition job to take the lead in the series for the first time. Though St. Louis’ rearguard have received most of the plaudits, winger Jaden Schwartz has had a playoff campaign to remember, scoring 12 goals, three of which came in the Game 5 blowout of the Sharks. He will be looking for a similarly ruthless performance in front of goal tonight as the 26-year-old goes in search of his first ever Stanley Cup title. 

Looking to stop Schwartz in his tracks will be the San Jose Sharks who find themselves in a win or go home situation, after blowing two early series leads. They will hope to make tonight’s clash a war of attrition with the Californian outfit often relying on their goal scoring power to see them over the line. Only Tampa Bay notched more times in the regular season than the Sharks and their go to men in front of the net have continued to impress in the postseason. Since the playoffs began, no one has scored more times or recorded more points than San Jose’s Logan Couture, who has now notched over 100 career playoff points. Though this season represents their best playoff run since 2016, the San Jose faithful won’t settle for anything less than a Stanley Cup appearance, which would now require back to back wins against the Blues. It should be an exciting night on the ice.

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA where the Toronto Raptors face the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Scotiabank Arena. The hosts won a thriller last time out as Kawhi Leonard lead his side to a double overtime win, dropping 36 points in 52 minutes on the court. In cycling, stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia is taking place in Ravenna, Italy. This particular stage features completely flat terrain, which will come as a relief to the riders who have been exposed to some gruelling terrain already in this electrifying race. Elsewhere, the Miami Marlins will hope to improve upon their meagre start to the MLB season as they travel to Detroit to take on the Tigers. After their series opener was called off due to heavy rain, Scotland and Sri Lanka will hope for more amicable conditions as their 2nd ODI takes place at the Grange. The race for the Europa League spots is heating up in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie as Utrecht take on Heracles whilst Vitesse host Groningen in the Europa League playoffs Semifinals. In the Men’s Ice Hockey World Championship, Russia will look to maintain their perfect start in Slovakia as they do battle with Sweden at the Ondrej Nepela Arena.

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

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Photos by NHL; San Jose Sharks

 

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