Sharks play their best when they smell own desperation

‘Great spot to be in’: West final vs. Blues now best-of-three

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks have been at their best this postseason when they had little margin for error.

That’s probably why they feel comfortable heading home for Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference Final against the Blues after a lackluster start led to a Game 4 loss in St. Louis.

Having squandered a series lead for the second time in this matchup, the Sharks know a loss Sunday could mean they won’t get to play on home ice again this postseason.

“It’s a great spot to be in,” coach Peter DeBoer said Saturday. “This is supposed to be hard.”

After alternating wins in the first four games, the Sharks and Blues now have a best-of-three to decide who plays the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final. Boston swept Carolina in the East and will have 10 days off before the start of the next round May 27.

Nothing has come easy for San Jose or St. Louis. The Blues went six games in the opening round against Winnipeg before needing double overtime in Game 7 of the second round against Dallas to make the conference final.

The Sharks, meanwhile, have endured two seven-game series — the Golden Knights and Avalanche. That’s happened in part because they have appeared to let up when leading a series

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POWER PLAY

SAN JOSE SHARKS (-130) over St. Louis Blues

The Sharks are 9-3 as a home favorite in their past 12 games and have beaten the Blues in four of their past five meetings at SAP Center. The home team is 7-2 in the teams’ past nine meetings.

before responding with greater desperation.

San Jose is 0-6 this postseason when leading a series. But it is 10-2 when tied or trailing, including four wins in elimination games sparked by a comeback from 3-1 down in the opening round to the Knights.

“There’s a lot of emotion in the playoffs,” Sharks captain Joe Pavelski said. “We’re in the conference finals. We’ve had overtime wins, we’ve had game sevens. We’ve had emotional games for sure. You just lace them back up next game and you compete.”