Game 3 of the Western Conference Final was a fun, back-and-forth contest, so it’s a shame that it ended the way it did. With the game in overtime, Timo Meier made a hand pass that the officials missed that directly led to Erik Karlsson scoring the winner. The St. Louis Blues were naturally upset, but the referees didn’t see what happened and the goal wasn’t reviewable, so there was no choice but to end the game.
As a result, the Sharks are up 2-1 in the series. To be fair, the Sharks might have ended up winning anyways. St. Louis had been down a defenseman since midway through the first period when Vince Dunn was struck in the mouth by the puck, so the longer the contest dragged on, the harder it would have been on the Blues to keep up. We’ll never know for sure though.
Regardless, St. Louis simply has to accept what happened and move on. The game might be lost but the series is far from over. Game 4 will take place on Friday and the Blues will be back in a solid position if they manage to win that contest.
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SAN JOSE 5 ST. LOUIS 4 (OT) (Sharks lead series 2-1)
Joe Thornton scored two goals and registered an assist for San Jose. He’s up to four goals and 10 points in 16 playoff contests this year.
Erik Karlsson netted a pair of goals, including the overtime winner. He has two goals and 15 points in 17 games.
San Jose’s other goal was accounted for by Logan Couture. It was scored with just 1:01 minutes remaining in the third period to tie the contest. That gives him 14 goals and 20 points in 17 games.
David Perron scored twice for the Blues. He has five goals and 10 points in 16 contests.
Vladimir Tarasenko also found the back of the net for St. Louis. It was his sixth goal and eighth point in 16 games.
Colton Parayko assisted on three of St. Louis’ four goals. He’s up to a goal and 10 points in 16 contests.
Kevin Labanc got two assists for the Sharks. That gives him four goals and nine points in 17 games.
Jordan Binnington stopped 27 of 32 Sharks shots. This is the second time in the span of three games that he’s allowed five goals.
At the other end of the ice, Martin Jones saved 28 of 32 shots. He’s surrendered at least three goals in each of the last three games.
