Sharks power play helps drive postseason success

Improved depth and 5-on-5 play helped get San Jose back to the postseason after missing it a year ago, but come playoff time that power play has served as an impressive weapon and a barometer for the team's success. One game after getting shut out on the man advantage, Taylor Hall Jerseythe Sharks struck twice following St. Louis penalties in a 4-0 win Tuesday night that tied the series at one game apiece heading into Game 3 on Thursday in San Jose. ''It creates momentum for us,'' DeBoer said Wednesday. ''I think that's what you're looking to do with your special teams both ways, is create momentum. I think when our power play scores, that creates momentum. I think when we kill penalties like we did last night, like that four-minute penalty, I think that creates momentum the other way for us. That's what you're looking to do as a coach, is get http://www.officialoilersteamshop.com/Womens_Youth_Teddy_Purcell_Jerseymomentum out of your special teams. I think that does that for us.'' The Sharks lead the NHL with 15 power-play goals this postseason and their 30 percent success rate is tops among all teams that have played more than one round. San Jose is 13-for-32 on the power play in nine playoff wins, http://www.officialoilersteamshop.com/Womens_Youth_Wayne_Gretzky_Jerseycompared to 2-for-18 in its five losses. With a five-man top unit that has years of experience together, San Jose is a finely tuned unit. Joe Thornton is the playmaker, spending most of his time along the half-boards or behind the net. He has plenty of options. Brent Burns scored both power-play goals in Game 2 off Shayne Corson Jerseyone-timers that St. Louis goalie Brian Elliott had little chance to save. Captain Joe Pavelski led the team with 12 power-play goals in the regular season, with many coming on deflections in front of the net or rebounds. Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau bring versatility with the ability to create plays for teammates or score on big shots of their own. ''Our power play's pretty free-flowing,'' http://www.officialbluesteamshop.com/Womens_Youth_Troy_Brouwer_JerseyThornton said. ''Really just can't key on one guy. We got five guys that can hurt you. I think for us it's just the way you move around, it's really hard to defend.'' The Blues managed to neutralize the Sharks in Game 1 when they killed all three power plays in a 2-1 victory. They were short-handed five times in Game 2, including a slash behind the play by Troy Brouwer that led to the Sharks' second goal of the game and an interference call on Steve Ott for hitting Pavelski from behind when the puck was not in the area.