Semi-quick, because I have to be at work at 6:00am.

My 3 Stars of the Game - same as the actual 3 stars. I can't really complain too much about it.

1. Jake Allen, STL. 39 saves on 41 shots.
2. Chris Stewart, STL. 2 goals, another dominating game.
3. Chris Porter, STL. The GWG goal, his 1st of the season, and pretty decent play on the 4th line.

Honorable mention: Barret Jackman, STL (2 assists, and a 2-minute shift after getting bloodied on a hit along the boards - if I was going to flip any of the 3 stars, I'd move him in for Porter); Alex Pietrangelo, STL (1 assist, but a much calmer game - what we need from him); David Perron, STL (the "oopsie" goal off the skate, but created havoc otherwise).

***

Instead of a good/bad, I'll just do it in here.

Miscellaneous Thoughts

-- The defense seems to be rounding into form. Even during the Anaheim game, it was evident that things had improved; tonight, you really can't point to a glaring weakness on the ice.

-- David Backes had ... well, let's call it a rough night. As I said in the comments during the game, someone needs to get his sticks blessed and/or exorcised, or just get a stick whisperer to talk to them - because he flat could not corral a puck with one tonight. Passing, shooting, receiving passes, no matter what he looked like he was handling a live grenade tonight.

-- Yes, Allen had a good game tonight. There, I'm capable of saying it. Yes, I can still nitpick at things, but he's 6-1-0 on the season - and maybe more importantly, the Blues are giving him lots of support.

-- Yet again, Jackman shows why he's one of the toughest guys in the league and why there's 29 other teams that would love to have him on their team. Yes, occasionally he takes the dumb penalty - but he's a complete heart-and-soul guy that we're going to want if (when) he finally go on that deep playoff run.

-- Jaden Schwartz standing near Joe Thornton. (1) Schwartz looks really small. (2) Thornton looks really big. (3) I want to see the two of them on the ice together as little as possible - because Schwartz got the worst end of that way too many times.

-- Is Bob Plager really 70? Holy cow, time flies. At least the Blues gave him a pretty nice present for the day.

-- What's the deal with the Sharks? They have talent, but simply don't use it effectively. Their skill guys try to play physical, their physical guys are trying to finesse it, and they could really use another guy on the blueline to be an offensive threat - because Brad Stuart and Dan Boyle (and yes, I know Boyle had a goal tonight ... on a 5-on-3) aren't getting the job done back there.

-- I like the idea of Matt D'Agostini scoring goals on this team, but he was away from the corners where the puck was being fought for quite a bit tonight. That's OK ... if he's scoring or threatening to score - but I see him on the ice and think "square peg, round hole."

-- With the 2 goals tonight, Stewart has (pending the outcome of other games in progress) moved into the top-30 in scoring in the league. It's been a long time since the Blues had someone in the top-30 in scoring after 26 games.

-- The Blues now move to 5th in the West, and get the goal differential for the season back to even. With Steen, Tarasenko and McDonald all back soon (Steen is probably going to be in Friday night), things are starting to look up once again.

***

Next up: Friday, vs. Phoenix. 2nd game of the 3-game homestand. If the 'Yotes hang on to beat Los Angeles (they lead 2-0 as I type this), it could be a chance for the 'Note to move into 4th.

Time to the trade deadline: 22 days

Join the Discussion: » 23 Comments » Post New Comment

» Games 6, Blues at Kings - Recap: Losing Still Sucks

» Game 6, Blues at Kings - GDT: Win or Done

» Game 5, Blues/Kings - Recap: When you lose at home, you're in trouble ...

» Game 5, Blues vs. Kings - GDT: Moment of Truth

» Game 4: Blues/Kings - Recap: School Was In Session