WINNIPEG — Paul Stastny’s last trip to the Western Conference final was just two years ago. He isn’t at all interested in seeing history repeat itself.



His St. Louis Blues went into the 2016 Western Conference final on a high — having beat out divisional rivals Chicago and Dallas — and the Final Four berth was a first in the salary cap era for the club. But it was as if they didn’t reset in time to prepare for the San Jose Sharks.



“What I remember most is that we played Chicago and Dallas, and they played a fast, skilled game, they really attacked you,” Stastny said. “We played San Jose next. I think a team that played similarly to us that year, and I think in a sense we weren’t ready for it. They beat us at our own game. What I really remember is that there was a lot of internal conflict. We were letting the emotions get the better of us.



“Maybe we thought it was going to go easier...