Its been 46 years since there were no Canadian teams in the NHL playoffs, and while cheering on the Toronto Raptors may help fill the void, Canada is a nation of hockey fans first and foremost.
With no home teams battling for the cherished Stanley Cup, deciding which American team to throw your support behind can be complicated. Is it the team in the coolest city? The one with the best logo? The one your dad was a fan of?
The St. Louis Blues are hoping youll choose the remaining team with the most Canadian players on the roster.
READ MORE:St. Louis Blues winger Scottie Upshall watches from afar as hometown Fort McMurray burns
In a video released on their website last Friday, the Blues urge Canadians to adopt them for the playoffs and list many reasons why, including having 18 players from the Great White North playing for them (Tampa Bay has eight, the Penguins have 11 and San Jose has 13).
WATCH BELOW: St. Louis Blues released this video urging Canadians to adopt them as their playoff team
Other reasons Canadians should adopt the Blues according to the team:
They also highlight that, like Canadians, they are genuinely nice people, which they proved Tuesday when they flew 12-year-old Wyatt Nelson and his visually-impaired father Gerry from Saskatchewan to St. Louis for Game 2 of the Western Conference series.
Wyatt provides play-by-play commentary for his father and when the Blues heard their story, they made them their guests of honour. Wyatt even got to call some of the action on the Blues radio broadcast during a break in the second period.
READ MORE:Saskatoon boy calls play-by-play at NHL playoff game for blind father
To make Canadians feel even more welcome cheering for them, they also promise to perform O Canada ahead of each game even though its not required since no Canadian teams are playing (theyve had difficulties sticking to this promiseunfortunately).
The Blues are currently tied with San Jose 1-1 in the Western Conference finals.
SOUND OFF: Will you cheer for the St. Louis Blues now? Leave a comment below or on our Facebook page.
-with files from Thomas Piller
2016Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Either the St. Louis Blues or the San Jose Sharks are going to be playing for the Stanley Cup in about two weeks.
Let that sink in for a moment.
How"d They Get Here?
The St. Louis Blues (49-24-9, 107 points) outlasted both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars in seven games, losing in Game 6 in both series and then coming back with impressive efforts in the final game.
The San Jose Sharks (46-30-6, 98 points) also vanquished a hated rival in the first round, topping the Los Angeles Kings in five games. The Nashville Predators pushed them to seven games; but luckily for the Sharks, Shea Weber decided to have the worst game of his career at the most inopportune time.
Their Last Playoff Meeting
The Blues rolled the Sharks in the first round in 2012, winning 4-games-to-1. The Sharks won Game 1 in double-overtime, but it was all downhill after that for San Jose against Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott.
Schedule
Sunday, May 15 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Tuesday, May 17 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Thursday, May 19 9 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Saturday, May 21 7:15 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBC, CBC, TVAS
*Monday, May 23 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
*Wednesday, May 25 9 p.m. St. Louis at San Jose NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
*Friday, May 27 8 p.m. San Jose at St. Louis NBCSN, CBC, TVAS
Offense
Both teams have shown impressive balance offensively, which is a welcome change from previous playoff disasters.
The Blues are powered by the STL Line of Jaden Schwartz (3 goals, 8 assists), Jori Lehtera (1 goal, 6 assists) and Vladimir Tarasenko (7 goals, 6 assists). When theyve played together, theyve driven possession in power-vs.-power matchups and dominated for stretches at even strength. Tarasenko has scored six of his seven goals at even strength, for example.
The real revelation for the Blues offensively has been rookie Robby Fabbri, with three goals and 10 assists in his first playoff run. Paul Stastny (3 goals, 6 assists) and Troy Brouwer (5 goals, 5 assists) roll with him.
In the past, David Backes (6 goals and 6 assists) and Alex Steen (4 goals and 4 assists) would have been called out for a lack of offense. But theyre not only contributing, but playing well overall. Expect them on a line with fellow Blues mainstay Patrik Berglund.
Scottie Upshall, Kyle Brodziak and Steve Ott fill out the lineup.
The Blues also get some help from the back end, with Kevin Shattenkirk scoring 10 points and Alex Pietrangelo adding seven points.
The Sharks second-leading scorer is also found on the blueline: Brent Burns, who has 15 points in 12 games. Something electrifying happens every time hes touched the puck this postseason, and the Blues are going to have to do something to counteract that offensive push. (Theyve also gotten eights assists from Marc-Edouard Vlasic.)
The Sharks top line is the Joe(s) Show. Joe Pavelski has an NHL playoff best nine goals, and has been an emotional catalyst for the team as captain. The laidback former captain, Joe Thornton, has three goals and eight assists, calmly directing Pavelski and Tomas Hertl (2 goals, 3 assists).
Logan Couture is the Sharks leading scorer in the playoffs with 17 points, including seven goals. Patrick Marleau (4 goals, 5 assists) has moved around a bit in the lineup, but was last seen with Couture and Joonas Donskoi, who has three goals and four assists and a name that sounds like it was invented for STAR WARS fanfic.
Joel Ward, playoff warrior, anchors a third line with Melker Karlsson and Chris Tierney. Nick Spalding, Tommy Wingels and the ageless Dainius Zubrus help will out the lineup.
Advantage: Sharks. The Blues might have a little more depth, but the Sharks have posted the NHLs best goals-per-game average in the playoffs (3.42) against strong defensive competition.
DALLAS, TX - MAY 11: Jay Bouwmeester #19 celebrates with Brian Elliott #1 after a 6-1 win against the Dallas Stars
Defense
The Blues waited for years to get a goaltending performance like the one Brian Elliotts given them. (In some cases, waiting on Elliott himself; in others, waiting on goalies they hopes would eclipse him.) Elliotts posted a 2.29 save percentage overall and a .941 save percentage at even strength. In both series, he played arguably his worst game in Game 6, only to rebound in Game 7.
Martin Jones has been overall pretty good in his first postseason as a starter, with a .923 even strength save percentage. He had a couple of clunkers in the Predators series after outplaying Jonathan Quick in Round 1.
The Sharks (2.33 GAA) have been a tick better than the Blues (2.43) defensively this postseason, but also didnt have to face Patrick Kane and Jamie Benn in the previous two rounds. Theyve also been the slightly better possession team at 49.65 score-adjusted Corsi (via Corsica).
Vlasic and Justin Braun are the Sharks top pairing, and have driven possession and eaten minutes. Paul Martin has been solid in covering for Brent Burns when he goes on offensive adventures, but Burns has also excelled in his own zone. Brenden Dillon and Roman Polak round out the group.
The Blues have plenty of familiar names leading the blue line: Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo, along with Shattenkirk. But among the difference between this Blues team and previous ones is the play of the rookies: Joel Edmundson, who plays with Shattenkirk, has the highest score-adjusted Corsi of any St. Louis defenseman (54.65); and Colton Parayko, who has built on his stellar regular season and is logging over 20 minutes per game. Carl Gunnarsson fills out the top six, with Robert Bortuzzo in reserve.
Advantage: Blues. Deeper defense, and Elliott trumps Jones.
Special Teams
The Sharks have the best power play remaining in the postseason, clicking at 30.9 percent in including 45 percent on home ice. Theyve had 42 power-play chances; the Blues have had 40, and have a not-too-shabby 27.5 percent conversion rate. Couture has eight power-play points; Tarasenko had six.
The Sharks have the slightly better penalty kill: 82.3 percent to the Blues 79.5 percent. St. Louis rolls out Pietrangelo and Bouwmeester as their top killers, long with Backes, Steen and Kyle Brodziak. Martin, Burns, Vlasic, Braun, Tierney, Karlsson, Spaling and Couture get rolled out for the Sharks.
Advantage: Sharks.
Coaching
What a journey for both of these guys.
Peter DeBoer has had his typically great first season with a team. His temperament and work with both the veteran players and younger ones has been a master-class in how the right guy behind the bench can soothe lingering animosity, provide motivation and put the past in the past.
Ken Hitchcock nearly didnt return after last season, with the Blues flirting hard with Mike Babcock. But he came back on a one-year deal, and has coached the h**l out of these playoffs: Making some controversial moves (see Tarasenko, Ice Time) but also showing calm in the face of adversity (see Elliott, Brian, goaltending decisions).
Advantage: Blues.
Five Key Questions
1. Can the Sharks win without home ice?
San Jose was a different team on home ice than in Nashville last round including their awesome power play. Theyre obviously going to have to take one game in St. Louis to win it. The good news: The Blues are 3-4 on home ice.
2. Can the Blues keep going deep?
Seven of the top 25 players in total ice time this postseason are on the Blues. Theyve played two more games than the Sharks. If this series goes the seven games that their previous have, can the Blues go the distance again?
3. Can the Blues shut down more offensive dynamos?
Kane and Benn both just had one goal in their series against the Blues. What kind of number can they do against the Joes in his one?
4. Is Martin Jones Cup ready?
Jones has shown a few shaky moments in the postseason, including a rough Game 6 against the Predators. If for whatever reason a change needs to be made for the Sharks, James Reimer is more than capable as the backup.
5. How nasty is this going to get?
The Blues love throwing their body around, including Backes and Brouwer up front. The Sharks just came off a physical little series against the Predators. The hate quotient for this one is potentially quite high.
Prediction
Sharks in 6. Due respect to the Blues, but the Sharks are going to win any series in which their stars are leading the way (and they have) and they get solid goaltending (and they will). They take one of two in St. Louis to open the series, and then eventually close it out in the Shark Tank.
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Greg Wyshynskiis a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him atpuckdaddyblog@yahoo.comorfind him on Twitter.His book,TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK,isavailable on Amazonand wherever books are sold.
WCSF: St. Louis Blues vs Dallas Stars Game 3 - Playoffs May 3 2016
Mattias Janmark, Vladimir Tarasenko
St. Louis Blues" Vladimir Tarasenko front, of Russia, and Dallas Stars" Mattias Janmark, of Sweden, battle for a loose puck during the second period of Game 6 of the NHL Western Conference semifinals, Monday, May 9, 2016, in St. Louis. (AP Photo | Jeff Roberson)
The St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 in theirNHL Western Conference playoff seriesat American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.
We"ll have up-to-the-minute scoring and stats here throughout the game. Check the scoreboard and stats link above.
Dallas avoided elimination with a 3-2 win at St. Louis on Monday.
Here"s what you need to know:
Who:St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars
What: Game 7, Western Conference playoffs (best of seven)
Where: American Airlines Arena, Dallas
When:Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Start:8 p.m. Eastern
TV:NBC Sports Network
Livestream:NBC Sports Live Extra
Line:Stars -1.5 (Over/under: 5.0)
Home ice belongs to the Stars, but the visiting team has dominated so far.
"I have the benefit of the match at home," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "I don"t know if that"s going to make any difference in the game, though."
The Stars led 3-0 in the first period and held on for the third consecutive victory in the series by the visiting team and fourth overall.
"We"ve been able to put some good road games together, some simple road games together,"Bluesright wing Troy Brouwer said.
TheBlues, who finished only two points behind Dallas in the regular-season standings for the Western Conference"s top seed, are 4-2 on the road this postseason and have already played a seven-game series. St. Louis won its first-round clincher at home, when Brouwer scored the Game 7 winner against defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago.
"We obviously know the stage,"Bluesdefenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. "It"s going to be a little different now that we"re on the road, but I think overall, we know what the pressure is, we know what it"s going to be."
Brouwer is playing in his NHL-record eighth consecutive playoff series to go seven games. He also had Games 7s with Washington and Chicago the previous five seasons.
"Same mindset we had last series, going to take one more win to finish the series and it"s what we want to do," Brouwer said.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
