When you're hot, you're hot, and the Steen-Backes-Oshie line continued to produce, as Steen extended his point streak to ten games, (7 goals, 11 assists), while Backes upped his streak to 10 games (7 goals, 7 assists).
Brian Elliott was superb again, denying the Avalanche of all but one goal. The Blues are riding an eight game point streak, going 7-0-1 in their last eight games. They are the NHL's hottest team headed into the all-star break.
Carl Gunnarsson, Jaden Schwartz and T.J. Oshie scored for the Blues, while Matt Duchene scored the only goal for Colorado tonight.
Brian Elliott stopped 17-of-18 shots, including many point blank saves, including a close in shot from Ryan O'Rielly.
Vladimir Tarasenko continues to produce chances, leading the Blues with five shots tonight's, but for the first time all season, he's struggling to find the net. He was absolutely robbed by Semyon Varlamov, twice. Once at the end of the second period, as Varlamov flashed leather in the dying seconds of the period. Then again in the third, as Varlamov stuck with Tarasenko as he made a patient move to the forehand.
With Vladimir Tarasenko and Kevin Shattenkirk headed to the all-star game, Blues fans are praying for just one thing. It's not for one to come home with a new car (or whatever prize the MVP of the all-star game will win), but for a healthy break. As long as both players come back to St. Louis after the break, fully healthy.
The Blues have ten days off, much to the chagrin of the fans. The Blues are hot, and a ten day break isn't exactly ideal. However this will be a good chance for the team to heal up any extra bumps and bruises, get fully healthy, and start working toward the second half of the season.
The Blues will finish the first half the season with a 29-13-4 record, with 62 points on the season. They currently sit third in the Western Conference, two points behind the Nashville Predators and four points behind the Anaheim Ducks.
There is no question who the first half MVP is for the Blues this year.
Vladimir Tarasenko has shined this season. He's ranked fifth goals this season with 24 goals and ninth in points this year with 47.
One difference this season for Tarasenko? He's firing the puck a lot more. In 64 games last season, Tarasenko shot the puck 136 times, for a shooting percentage of 15.4%. This season? In 45 games, Tarasenko has fired 156 shots on goal. His shooting percentage? 15.4.
It's not like Tarasenko is putting the puck in at a higher rate this year. He's not. He's getting more goals, because he's firing the the puck at a higher frequency. Many people forget that this is only Tarasenko's third season in the NHL. His first season he only played 38 games, last season he played 64 games. Playing more will only help Tarasenko in becoming a household name around the NHL.
Question of the game. Who will be the MVP of the all-star game, and will Tarasenko shoot 4-for-4 on the accuracy shooting?