NHL Three Stars: Elliott shines as Blues take Game 1

No. 1 Star: Brian Elliott, St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis netminder was at his best, stopping 31 of 32 shots on goal to help his team to a 2-1 Western Conference Final Game 1 win over the San Jose Sharks. Elliott has a 2.20 goal-against average and .932 save percentage in 15 games this postseason. He also improved to 4-0 with a 1.29 goal-against average and .954 save percentage in five career playoff games against the Sharks.

No. 2 Star: David Backes, St. Louis Blues

Backes scored the first goal of Game 1 to continue his strong playoff. He has 13 points in 15 postseason games, tying his total from his first 29 career playoff games. Backes’ seventh goal tied him with Vladimir Tarasenko for the team lead this postseason.

No. 3 Star: Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks

Pavelski notched an assist on Tomas Hertl’s first period goal. It was the first time this playoffs Pavelski had picked up a point and the Sharks didn’t win. He has 14 points in 13 playoff games, which ranks third on San Jose behind Brent Burns and Logan Couture.

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Honorable Mention: Blues forward Jori Lehtera scored the game-winning goal at the 9:15 mark of the second period … St. Louis defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk and forward Jaden Schwartz assisted on Backes’ goal … Hertl’s goal was his third of the playoffs … Burns picked up his 16th point of the playoffs with an assist on Hertl’s goal.

Did You Know?  This is the third time in five all-time playoff meetings the Blues have held a 1-0 series lead over San Jose. 

Dishonorable Mention: The Sharks have lost four straight goad games this playoff. San Jose had the best road record in the NHL last season at 28-10-3 … Game 1 was the first time the Sharks power play (0-for-3) was held off the scoreboard since Game 3 against the Nashville Predators in the second-round of the playoffs. Couture was held pointless. He leads the NHL with 17 points this postseason. 

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