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St. Louis Blues vs. San Jose Sharks: 3 Takeaways From Game 5

By Jasmine Yen

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates with Colton Parayko #55, Vladimir Tarasenko #91, Ryan O'Reilly #90 and David Perron #57 after his second goal against the San Jose Sharks in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 19, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates with Colton Parayko #55, Vladimir Tarasenko #91, Ryan O'Reilly #90 and David Perron #57 after his second goal against the San Jose Sharks in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on May 19, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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After a dominant performance from the St. Louis Blues, they push the San Jose Sharks to the brink of elimination. Here are three takeaways from Game 5.

The Western Conference Final of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has been a war. In each game, the scores have been tight and neither team has given ground. That is, until Game 5. The St. Louis Blues dominated the San Jose Sharks and shut them out 5-0.

This marks just the third time all postseason that the offensive-powered Sharks have been left off the scoresheet. Now they must prepare for an elimination game on the road. Here are three takeaways from Game 5.

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1. Injuries Galore

The Sharks lost both their star defenseman in Erik Karlsson and star forward in Joe Pavelski in the third period. Neither of them returned. Karlsson did not even appear when the period started and Pavelski left less than two minutes in because of a huge hit from Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo.

Karlsson has been dealing with a lingering groin injury all playoffs. In Game 4, he sat out for most of the third period as well. Throughout Game 5, Karlsson seemed injured and eventually just didn’t come back out to play.

Pavelski suffered a huge head injury in Round 1 against the Vegas Golden Knights and missed almost the entirety of the second round. The Pietrangelo hit could have reaggravated his injury. Regardless, it is another tough blow for the Sharks.

Losing Karlsson, who averages over 25 minutes a game, and Pavelski, who has nine points in 13 playoffs games are huge losses for the Sharks. It could end up costing them everything.

2. Jordan Binnington stands tall

Jordan Binnington is one of the coolest stories from the 2018-19 season. His playoff performance continues to add to his Cinderella story. Earning his first even playoff shutout against one of the best offensive teams in the league is a tremendous confidence booster and this added swagger could be what the Blues need to put the Sharks away for good.

In his last two games, he has limited San Jose to just a single goal. If he continues to stifle their potent offense, it will be a cakewalk for St. Louis.

3. Jaden Schwartz makes history

Jaden Schwartz is on pace for a historic postseason with the Blues. In Game 5 he recorded his second hat trick of the playoffs. It’s the first time a player has recorded multiple hat tricks in one postseason since Detroit Red Wings’ Johan Franzen did in 2008.

Plus, he is at 12 goals which is just one behind Brett Hull for most Blues’ playoff goals in a single run. He’s played so well for the Blues and if he continues his dominance, the series could be over very soon.

Next. Each Team's Greatest Player Of All-Time. dark

As the injuries pile up for the Sharks and the momentum swings in favour of the Blues, it seems like this series is St. Louis’ to lose. However, the Sharks have climbed back against tougher odds and they will play until the very last buzzer. It would be foolish to count the Sharks out so fast so all we can really do is wait and see.

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