Sharks feel the Blues in OT

SAN JOSE — Vladimir Sobotka recorded his first career hat trick and Patrik Berglund scored 72 seconds into overtime to lift the St. Louis Blues past the San Jose Sharks, 4-3, on Saturday.

Scott Gomez had a goal and assist for San Jose, which has lost nine of its last 11 against St. Louis.

Berglund’s team-leading 12th goal of the season came after the Blues rallied from two goals down in the third period. Sobotka, in the best stretch of his career, had both scores to tie it before Berglund’s game-winner. Sobotka has five goals in his last three games.

Jake Allen made 22 saves for St. Louis after getting knocked around early, but it was San Jose’s goalie situation that wound up being pivotal.

Starter Antti Niemi made 25 saves, but was pulled with 14:22 left in third after allowing Sobotka’s second goal in an 80-second span. Alex Stalock, called up from the minors before the game, replaced Niemi and stopped six shots until Berglund delivered his second game-winning goal this season.

Sobotka had just two goals through the Blues’ first 21 games but has five in his last three.

The Sharks built a 3-1 lead after scores by Gomez and Matt Irwin in the second. Irwin’s goal came on the power play, an encouraging sign for a San Jose team that has struggled in man-advantage situations this year.

Allen didn’t allow anything after that, stopping five shots in the third and one in overtime.