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With the New York Rangers looking to being the process of reestablishing their good name and the Blues potentially buzzing from their emotional win over Chicago their contest tonight had "trap" written on it. So clearly that even Admiral Ackbar couldn't mistake it for what it could become.
Luckily Ken Hitchcock and the Blues aren't an armada lead by a Mon Calamari.
Much like the rag tag outfit in movie series referenced the Blues were driven to victory, 5 to 3 in the case of this hockey game, by a powerful trio.
The Alex Steen, David Backes, and TJ Oshie line once again took center stage. They combined for three goals and six assists while gobbling up between 18 and 20 minutes on the ice. Steen opened up the scoring less than six minutes in to the first period. Ryan Callahan countered on the power play for his first of the season to equalize the score at 1-1 after 20 minutes.
In the second frame a pair of Backes goals sandwiched a beauty of a snapshot from Derek Roy for his second of the season. Brad Richards banked in a Derrick Brassard rebound, quite a generous one from Jaroslav Halak, for his 4th of the season. After two periods it was 4-2.
Early in the third Callahan would get his second power play tally of the game to close the lead by half. At times it looked like the Rangers may crawl back in to the game, but it was a shot lived pipe dream. Vladimir Tarasenko scored his third goal of the season half way through the period. From that point on the Blues would dominate the visitors and cruise to the final horn up 5-3.
Martin Biron made the start for the Rangers and yielded four goals on 17 shots. He was lifted after two periods for Henrik Lundvist. He stopped 16 of 17 shots faced.
Halak went the distance for the home team, stopping 26 of 29 shots.
Both Halak and the Blues have gone a perfect 4 and 0 to start the season for the first time in their respective histories.
Steen is now tied with Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs for second in league scoring with eight points (4g, 4a). Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins leads all with nine points. Backes is in the top 25 with six points (4g, 2a).
After winning five of eight draws tonight Vladimir Sobotka is now up to 20 wins out of 27 faceoffs to lead the Blues with a 74.1% winning percentage. Keep in mind he is primarily playing left wing, but as match-ups dictate Sobotka will take extra shifts purely for faceoff purposes. Overall St. Louis won 34 out of 60.
Ian Cole, Adam Cracknell, and Magnus Paajarvi were healthy scratches for the fourth game in a row. Don't expect that to change as long as wins keep coming and injuries don't occur.
Once again the penalty kill allowed goals against. In their last two games the Blues are 3 for 7 when down a man. On most night's that level of execution won't equal a win because most nights they won't score five goals. Recent history says the problems should get worked out in due time, but until they do it's an area of concern that will reduce the Blues' chances of taking a clean two points.
I don't have anything nice to say about the officiating. It was not very consistent other than it seemed to be inconsistent. Would much rather see 50/50 calls error on the side of letting the two teams settle it five a side.The too many men penalty is something to joke about, but it wasn't the right call.
Must See Replay
Backes' second of the night may have been the game winner, but Tarasenko's filthy shot put the nail in the coffin.
My Stars of the Game
3 - Callahan
2 - Halak
1 - Backes
FYIs and Other News
The Chicago Wolves won their home opener tonight. Prospect forward Ty Rattie bagged his first career AHL goal. Fellow winger Dmitrij Jaskin picked up an assist on the Wolves first goal. Jake Allen made 30 saves.
Tommy Vannelli and the Medicine Hat Tigers defeated Kootenay 3-0. The defenseman racked up just 2 PIMs and a Plus-1 rating.
Thanks for reading!
St Louis Blues Blogger • 
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