Sharks begin epic trek in St. Louis

Hockey Betting Lines

02/12/2012 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first-place San Jose Sharks will make the first stop on their longest road trip of the season tonight, as they visit the St. Louis Blues in a Western Conference showdown at Scottrade Center.

The Sharks lead the Pacific Division by three points over Los Angeles and they'll try to hold onto that advantage while they pick their way through a nine-game swing that starts tonight in the Gateway City and ends Feb. 26 in Minnesota. San Jose is 12-7-4 as the road team this year compared to an 18-9-2 home record.

San Jose ended a two-game slide and won for the fourth time in six games Friday night against visiting Chicago. Benn Ferriero's goal early in the third period proved to be the winner, as the Sharks notched a 5-3 win over the struggling Blackhawks at HP Pavilion.

Justin Braun, Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton and Jamie McGinn also tallied goals for the Sharks, while Antti Niemi stopped 30-of-33 shots for the win.

"We have got to find ways to be a little more consistent," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan said. "You could see the desperation in both teams, which are good games to play in, especially when we're winning."

The Sharks will not face a single Pacific Division foe during its road trip, but will have five tests against teams from the Western Conference.

St. Louis will try to improve to 3-0 against the Sharks this year after posting a win at home and one in San Jose during the season series. The clubs have split the six meetings overall and St. Louis has won two of the last three on its home ice.

The Blues have won three straight overall and are three behind Detroit for first place in the Central Division and the Western Conference.

St. Louis has recorded its last two victories after regulation and is coming off Saturday's overtime win over visiting Colorado. The dramatic victory over the Avalanche improved St. Louis' record at home this year to 23-3-4 and the Blues have gained a point in a club-record 18 straight home games (15-0-3).

Carlo Colaiacovo scored the first goal since the opening period with 1:42 to play in overtime, sending St. Louis to the 3-2 victory over Colorado.

"I had a lot of chances tonight. I've been getting a lot of chances lately. I'm just happy that one finally went in and it didn't take my stick to put it in," said Colaiacovo, who admitted that he felt the puck glance off his elbow after a wrist shot by Patrik Berglund.

Brian Elliott stopped 17 shots for St. Louis, which also received a pair of assists from T.J. Oshie.

Jason Arnott is not expected to play tonight for the Blues after sitting out the last four games with a bruised left shoulder. Matt D'Agostini will also miss a third straight game since sustaining a blow to the head on Tuesday against Ottawa.

However, the Blues could get forward Andy McDonald back today. McDonald, who had 50 points in 58 games for the Blues last year, has been out since suffering a concussion on Oct. 13 in Dallas.