The Sharks’ first-ever conference finals series advantage was a short one, lasting all of one game, and suddenly, the specter of playoff flops past looms anew.
The Blues overwhelmed San Jose in a 6-3 Game 4 win, ending San Jose’s six-game home winning streak and evening the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
The Sharks, whose skills appeared so superior just two evenings before, were a mess most of the way Saturday afternoon at SAP Center, with 17 giveaways and ineffective special-teams play. Playoff hero Martin Jones, the Sharks’ goalie, was pulled hallway through the second period.