Explaining tonight's loss has to be difficult for anyone. The Blues managed to pot four goals against Ottawa tonight, but it wasn't enough to get a victory on home ice.
There was drama at the first puck drop, as Ottawa's head coach, Paul MacLean, threw out Chris Niel, Colin Greening, and Zack Smith to start the game. This prompted Blues head coach, Ken Hitchcock to ice his fourth line of Brendan Morrow, Max Lapierre, and Ryan Reaves.
It was Smith to take the draw, against Reaves, and Reaves was in Smith's ear the entire time. This was obviously in regards to Smith's hit on Blues leading goal scorer, Alexander Steen, in the first meeting these two teams met. Reaves was tossed from the dot, Lapierre stepped in. The puck dropped and the game started, with no one dropping their gloves.
The Blues were all over the Senators in the first period. It was physical, fast paced, and held it's fair share of scrums after the whistle. The biggest 'none hit' of the game, had to come from Kevin Shattenkirk, who was inches from steamrolling Milan Michalek at center ice. It was very entertaining for the fans that made it to the game.
The Blues struck first, off a beautiful passing play from T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund. Brendan Morrow was the recipient of the passing and got the puck past Lehner.
The period ended with the Blues ahead by one and dominating puck play throughout the first.
The Blues were again dominant in the second period, registering 23 shots in the period, the highest total in a period all season for the Blues.
The Blues were the recipient of a handful of powerplays after the Senators were caught playing undisciplined hockey in the second. Including a elongated 5-on-3, the Blues popped off ten shots, yet failed to score, giving the Sens life. Shortly after the Blues powerplay ended, it was Erik Karlsson scoring off a one-timer. The goal was nice, the pass was even better. A 360 spin pass from Senators captain, Jason Spezza was absolutely beautiful.
T.J. Oshie answered just 19 seconds later to give the Blues their lead back. This goal was originally thought to have gone out of play. Lucky for the Blues that a t.v. timeout occurred after the play. After some investigating, Oshie found the puck, wedged into the top of the net. It was deemed a goal and the Blues were back on top. David Backes added a goal off a pass from a very patient Jaden Schwartz. It was 3-1 and the Blues were absolutely dominant. The third ended and it looked like the Blues were going to walk all over Ottawa all game long.
Until a three minute defensive lapse in the early in the third period cost the Blues three goals.
The first goal, scored by Michalek, was a result of a gorgeous passing play and an eventual 2-0. Mika Zibanejad dished the puck to Spezza, who fed Michalek for an tap in. It was a gorgeous play.
The second goal, scored by Kyle Turris, has to be one of the weirdest I've ever seen. A backhand pass out front, went off of Vladimir Tarasenko's skate, then off of Jay Bouwmeester's skate, and eventually off Halak's skate and into the net. Incredible luck for Turris.
The third goal was a point shot that deflected off of Bouwmeester's stick and over Halak's shoulder and in the net. It was a tough night for Halak, who had virtually no chance, on any of the goals scored.
With Ottawa in the lead, the Blues battled back, and scored a weird one of their own. It was Jordan Leopold, skating very low in the offensive zone, who fired a shot from behind the goal line. The puck bounced off of the glove of Lehner, between his legs, and in the net. The game was tied again.
After nothing was solved in the rest of the third period and despite another late powerplay in the third, the Blues couldn't grab the win and it was headed to a shootout.
Oshie, like always, shot first for the Blues. A pretty forehand-backhand move resulted in a goal for the Blues. It was answered by Zibanejad scoring one on Halak.
Steen was up next, and he rifled one under the bar and in to give the Blues a 2-1 lead in the skills competition. Spezza shot next and popped one off the post and out.
Tarasenko had the chance to win it, but was shutdown by Lehner. Stefan Da Costa tied it for the Senators.
Shattenkirk and Michalek both missed in round four and they would continue.
A miss by Lapierre and a goal for Kyle Turris gave the Senators the win.
Breaking Down Halak's Game
Now many were quick to blame the loss on Jaroslav Halak. Anyone who knows me, knows I am very critical of goalies. When Elliott was playing hot, and Halak was on a cold streak, I advocated for Elliott. Play the goalie who's giving you the best chance to win.
Now, it's Elliott who's gone cold and Halak has been heating up. Can you guess who I think should be getting starts? You guessed right, Halak.
Now, was Jaroslav Halak to blame for this loss? Absolutely not. The first goal, he might have been able to stop. The next three? No chance. Two odd bounces and a beautiful tic-tac-toe play, left Halak with no opportunities to stop them.
Many talked about his inability to stop the puck in the shootout. While this may be true, tonight, Halak has been notably better this season compared to season's past in the gimmicky end to tied games.
There were many who stated that the Blues had zero chance to win a playoff series with Halak in net. They raised the issue with his inability to stop players in the shootout. Well one of my favorite things about the playoffs? NO SHOOTOUTS!
I, for one, hate the fact that a team-based sport, can end in the hands of all individual players. I believe that the NHL should adopt the KHL style of points. Three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime win, one for an overtime loss, and if the teams tie, give each a point and call it a tie. Remove the shootout all together.
Now back to Halak. He's proven, that when he gets a chance to play in the playoffs, he can carry teams through series on his own. I am fully aware that it's been four years since Halak had his amazing playoff run with Montreal, and I'm also aware that he was pulled quite a few times that year as well. The biggest thing? His ability to rebound after getting pulled. He, single-handily backstopped the Canadiens over the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, two of the favorites that year to win the cup. He was ousted in the third round, but there is also something different about that Canadiens team and the Blues.
The Blues defense and their defensive play, is much better than what the Habs were rolling with that year. Yes, they have their lapses, like the one we saw tonight. But how often does that happen? Not often.
Could the Blues upgrade in goal? Sure. Ryan Miller is available, but do you want to pay the price Buffalo is asking? I sure wouldn't.
Look at the last eight goalies to win the Stanley Cup. Corey Crawford, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas, Antti Niemi, Marc-Andre Fluery, Chris Osgood, Jean-Sebastian Giguere, and Cam Ward.
Halak is better, or at least equal to Crawford, Niemi, Fluery, Osgood, and Giguere.
So my question to you all, do you believe that Jaroslav Halak can lead the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup? I honestly believe that he can.