If you've attended any of the last four Blues home games, then, you've been privileged to watch some free hockey.
The Blues, like the last three games, gave up a lead in the third period to miss out on a win in regulation. They have earned wins in three of the four games, including today's win.
The Blues were out-shot in the first period, 8-7, yet the Blues would score twice and give the Blues a one goal lead headed into intermission.
Brendan Morrow opened the scoring, on a goal that mirrored the Alexander Steen goal against the Ottawa Senators. Vladimir Tarasenko carried the puck into the zone, cut to the slot, and dropped a pass to Morrow. Morrow then ripped a shot, blocker side, on Jets goalie Al Montoya. The puck flew between the right pad and blocker of Montoya and the Blues jumped ahead 1-0.
Mark Scheifele scored five minutes later on a one-timer from Devin Setoguchi. Setoguchi carried the puck behind the net and fed a pass to Scheifele in front and the Jets had tied the game.
The Blues would get a fortuitous bounce after a dump in bounced off a stanchion, ricocheted off the refs skate, and out in front of the net. Morrow pounced on the puck, and dished the puck across the slot to Derek Roy, who put the puck into an open net.
The period also saw the first fight from Ryan Reaves since breaking his hand. He dropped the mitts with Chris Thorburn, and earned a win in the bout. Chris Stewart also dropped the gloves in the first, and had a decisive win over Mark Stuart. Stewart's fight was poorly timed, as it occurred three second into a powerplay, and Stewart earned a roughing minor along with the major to negate the Blues powerplay.
The second period saw the Jets dominant puck control and tie the game. Scheifele scored his second goal of the night, and it was a beauty. Blake Wheeler fed a pass to Scheifele who flew around the Blues defense and deked out Elliott to score.
Brian Elliott made a slew of fantastic saves in the first two periods, which kept the Blues in the game. A game that easily could have seen the Jets score four or five goals in the first two periods, was tied at two goals after two periods.
Jaden Schwartz scored less than a minute into the third period, after he pounced on a rebound shot from Barret Jackman.
The Blues were really on the ball in the third period, controlling most of the play. Despite the shot total in the third being 10-9, puck control wasn't as close as the shot counter would tell you.
The Jets however, wouldn't go away quietly. With seven minutes left in the third, Dustin Byfuglien tied the game on a slapshot from the point on the powerplay. Elliott was screen by two Jets forwards on the goal and regulation would end in a tie.
After overtime solved nothing, the Blues and Jets were headed to a shootout.
Alexander Steen shot first for the Blues, and was stopped by Montoya. Bryan Little was stopped by Elliott on the Jets first attempt.
T.J. Oshie showed off his impressive skill set, and absolutely deked out Montoya to put the Blues ahead, 1-0. Andrew Ladd was stopped on his attempt and it all came down to Vladimir Tarasenko.
Tarasenko didn't disappoint. He skated in quickly on Montoya and absolutely ripped a shot past the Jets netminder to win the game for the Blues.
The Blues were 0-8 on the powerplay. The biggest issue was getting their shots on goal. They set up well in the offensive zone but the majority of their shots missed the net. This is an issue for the Blues, that needs to be fixed. The Blues, along with the rest of the league, will be off for the next three weeks during the Olympic break. This will be worked on in practice once the players return.
The Blues have moved into first place in the central division with today's win. Tied in points with the Chicago Blackhawks at 84 points, the Blues hold the tie breaker with more wins, in three less games played.
JORDAN LEOPOLD INJURY UPDATE
Jordan Leopold was injured in today's game. He was throwing a check behind the Jets net, when he fell awkwardly on his right leg, which was bent back behind his body. He put nearly no weight on the leg when skating off the ice, and didn't return in the game.
Ken Hitchcock didn't give much of an update after today's game, but he said that initial reaction to the injury, isn't good. There will be more on the injury in the next two days.
From the looks of the play, it's certainly a knee injury. The knee was bent behind his leg, and it looked like Leopold was in a lot of pain skating off. I don't want to speculate, but the first guess would be a possibly mcl/acl injury. If it's a ligament pull, Leopold should be able to heal with enough time to possibly return for the the last month of the season.
However, if it's a ligament tear, I wouldn't expect to see Leopold return at any point this season. We'll have to wait and see what is released in the net two days.