... and just like that, the deficit is back to 2 as Cory Emmerton becomes #357 on the season with his 1st. (No, I won't say which defenseman was standing next to him when the goal was scored.)

Red Wings 3, Blues 1

... and just like that, the deficit is back to 2 as Cory Emmerton becomes #357 on the season with his 1st. (No, I won't say which defenseman was standing next to him when the goal was scored.)

Red Wings 3, Blues 1
- Chip McCleary

shows what u can do if you just get it on net and go to the net.

... and the rout may be on. Brunner slams it home on a blocked shot after (omg, what a shock) a Blues player (this time Berglund) gets beaten cleanly on the draw.

Red Wings 4, Blues 1. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jake Allen back out in net for the 3rd.

... and the rout may be on. Brunner slams it home on a blocked shot after (omg, what a shock) a Blues player (this time Berglund) gets beaten cleanly on the draw.

Red Wings 4, Blues 1. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jake Allen back out in net for the 3rd.
- Chip McCleary

elliot is not the same goalie he was last year, has to be a concern for the blues

2nd period scoring
3. ST. LOUIS, Alex Pietrangelo 3 (Alex Steen, Kevin Shattenkirk), 15:45 (pp).
4. DETROIT, Cory Emmerton 1 (Jordin Tootoo, Drew Miller), 17:33.
5. DETROIT, Damian Brunner 5 (Johan Franzen, Jonathan Ericsson), 19:04.

Shots on goal: St. Louis 9-8=17, Detroit 12-15=27.

So, what to do? If you're going to juggle lines, you might as well do it now - and think about asking Russell to play some actual defense (if he's capable).

elliot is not the same goalie he was last year, has to be a concern for the blues
- wingz4life

I said in the Q&A yesterday that the Blues didn't need Elliott to be who he was last year, but they need a hell of a lot better than they're getting right now. Even so, against Nashville at least 1 goal and maybe 2 weren't squarely on him - and tonight, the Kindl goal went through a maze of players (but it was still stoppable). It hasn't helped that the defense in front of him has been bad at times, meaning it all has to fall on him; last year, he was getting support from guys and that cut down on the number of quality chances he had to face.

Doesn't mean Elliott has been blameless, but he's certainly not getting help from his teammates like he did last year.

BTW, the official scoring still has Backes getting the 1st assist; that will eventually get changed to Steen. I don't know if Shattenkirk will keep his - the replay indicates the puck went off a Red Wings player before Steen threaded it to Pietrangelo.

... and, my GameCenter feed has died - which might be for the best given how the first 40 minutes went.

-- Feed now back up.

... and, my GameCenter feed has died - which might be for the best given how the first 40 minutes went.
- Chip McCleary

It is. I'm tuning out in favor of Archer now... I don't have the urge to watch the Blues stand around for another 20 after seeing it for 40 already...

5 and a game for Franzen? Absolutely.

2 minutes from Perron for boarding? (Not) shocking.

Put Perron out on the PP when he gets out of the box? For God's sake, please don't.

5 and a game for Franzen? Absolutely.

2 minutes from Perron for boarding? (Not) shocking.

Put Perron out on the PP when he gets out of the box? For God's sake, please don't.
- Chip McCleary

Perron deserved what he got.

Filppula with a breakaway goal late on a shift, as he blew past both McDonald and Redden. Pathetic.

Red Wings 5, Blues 1

Perron deserved what he got.
- wingz4life

Not disputing he earned it with the hit from behind - but it was absolutely a major penalty on Franzen.

Not disputing he earned it with the hit from behind - but it was absolutely a major penalty on Franzen.
- Chip McCleary

whole lotta nothing in the big picture, it was 4-1

KESSEL FINALLY SCORES! After 358 other guys around the NHL hit the net on the season, Phil the Thrill joins the club with 4:08 to play, notching the GWG in a 3-2 Leafs win over Winnipeg.


Meanwhile, back to our regular game ...

3rd period scoring
6. DETROIT, Valtteri Filppula 3, 13:35.

Shots on goal: St. Louis 9-8-10=27, Detroit 12-15-2=29.

Recap coming in a little bit.

whole lotta nothing in the big picture, it was 4-1
- wingz4life

Kind of sums up Perron's game tonight.