SAN JOSE -- The Sharks sacrificed a first-round pick when they traded for goalie Martin Jones last offseason. The payoff has been more than worth it.
Jones' first season as an NHL starter hit its peak Wednesday when he helped take down the St. Louis Blues 5-2 to send the Sharks to their first Stanley Cup Finals in their 25-year history.Jones didn't notch a shutout like he did in San Jose's two previous series-clinching wins over the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators. The Blues spoiled that when Vladimir Tarasenko -- scoreless through the first 17 periods of the series -- punched in two third-period goals.