The San Jose Sharks came into their first-round matchup against the St. Louis Blues as heavy underdogs, barely making it into the postseason.
But the Sharks also won their final four games and used that momentum to stun the Blues in St. Louis, 3-2, on Thursday in Game 1.
Just over 3:30 into double-overtime, Ryane Clowe took the puck on the left side of the ice and flipped it to Martin Havlat, who whipped a long one-timer into the net for a dramatic goal and gave the Sharks a 1-0 series lead.
The Sharks saw the Blues score two goals in the third period and take a 2-1 advantage, but they rebounded after Andrew Desjardins swung it home into the net to knot it up headed into overtime.
After a scoreless first overtime, Havlat's beautiful goal in double-OT capped off a dramatic victory for the Sharks as the bench erupted and the Blues crowd sat stunned at what had just happened.
The Sharks, who haven't looked like Stanley Cup contenders overall this year, appear to have turned it on at just the right time, and after their victory on Thursday night, who knows what they're capable of.
Remember, the Blues had lost eight of their final 12 games headed into the postseason. While they ended up with 109 points on the season, they didn't exactly finish like world-beaters in the regular season.
Thursday night was a very frustrating night for the Blues after appearing to come back and take control of the game in the third period. They obviously have the talent to take the series, but there's something currently not right in St. Louis, and the Blues better figure it out quick.
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