Blues face critical test from visiting Sharks

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03/12/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Victories against the San Jose Sharks have been hard to come by lately for the St. Louis Blues. However, a win over San Jose tonight would give a big boost to St. Louis' playoff chances. The Blues continue their crucial homestand this evening against the Sharks at Scottrade Center.

St. Louis is currently 11th in the Western Conference with 68 points, but is only three points behind Nashville and Edmonton, which are tied for the last two playoff spots in the West. Both Dallas and Minnesota are ahead of the Blues with 70 points each.

St. Louis did its part by defeating the Stars, 5-2, on Tuesday and will end its current four-game homestand on Sunday with a visit from the Wild. First, though, the Blues must take on San Jose tonight and then Detroit on Saturday.

The Sharks and Red Wings are currently tied for the most points in the NHL with 96 each, although San Jose has played two fewer games than the Red Wings. Eastern Conference-leading Boston has 95 points and all three teams play tonight.

David Perron scored twice in Tuesday's win over the Stars, while Keith Tkachuk notched his 20th goal of the season. It marks the 15th time that the 520- career goal scorer has reached that mark. David Backes also lit the lamp for St. Louis, giving him four goals and two assists over his last three games.

Chris Mason made 20 saves in the win, which improved St. Louis to 17-12-5 at home this year. Mason will try to get over the hump tonight versus the Sharks, as he is 0-6-1 with a 3.42 goals against average lifetime against the club.

He allowed five goals in his lone start against San Jose this year, a 5-4 loss in California on December 13. That setback was St. Louis' seventh in a row to the Sharks before it posted a 3-2 shootout win at home on December 27.

The Blues have still lost 11 of their last 13 to the Sharks, and their late December win also snapped a seven-game series home losing streak. St. Louis has not notched back-to-back wins over San Jose since November 13 and December 18, 2003.

The Sharks wrap a three-game road trip tonight. They lost the opener of the swing in Vancouver last Saturday before Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win in Minnesota. Christian Ehrhoff scored 3:34 into overtime to give his club two points despite blowing a three-goal lead.

Joe Thornton lit the lamp twice, while newcomer Travis Moen registered a short-handed goal and an assist for the Sharks, who snapped a season-high four-game losing streak.

San Jose goaltender Brian Boucher made his sixth straight start in place of Evgeni Nabokov, who did not travel with the team due to a lower-body injury. Boucher made 25 saves in his first victory since February 26.

Defenseman Rob Blake is also out for San Jose tonight after suffering a foot injury versus the Canucks. He has nine goals and 30 assists this season.

San Jose's win was just its fourth in its last 11 road games and the club is 17-9-6 as the guest this season.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

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