It's run on 150 minutes, or seven-plus periods in the West Final, since the St. Louis Blues scored. So naturally, their big-ticket scorer, Vladimir Tarasenko, has been fitted in position under the playoff microscope.
And for good reason. Because while he maintains a share of the team lead in points and is tied for third in postseason goals, Tarasenko's lone goal-scoring contribution over the last six games - the weightiest stretch of his pro career - has been a puck deposited into an empty net in Game 7 versus the Dallas Stars.
The 40-goal scorer was reduced to two shots in his 20 minutes in Thursday's Game 3 loss, extending a drought coach Ken Hitchcock attributed, in part, to a lack of experience.
"He's learning hard lessons, like any other player. Robby (Fabbri) is learning it, (Colton) Parayko is learning it. Vladi is learning some really hard lessons," Hitchcock said.
"The playoffs are for veteran players. The veteran players on both teams have this thing dialed up."
Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, and Logan Couture - San Jose's leading per-game scorers in the regular year - have combined for 12 points on the eight goals scored in the series.
The rub: These Sharks, the one's who share the same function as Tarasenko, have dealt with - and previously succumbed to - the plight facing St. Louis' sniper. And finally appear prepared to overcome it.
"Some guys never learn it. Some guys can't do it. Some guys learn that lesson and they really become accomplished players, especially scoring players. But (Tarasenko's) going to have to fight through everything if he expects to score a goal and contribute offensively," Hitchcock added.
"Unfortunately for all of us, you got to go through it."
