First off, I want to fill you in on why I might be missing for a time within the next few weeks. My wife is 35 weeks pregnant, and this weekend we thought that our little boy would be entering the world. It was a false alarm however and for now, she's still pregnant. So if for some reason, you don't see a game recap, you'll know why!
Now to the game, can we talk about how good Ryan Miller was tonight? Stopping 31 shots tonight, Miller earned his first shutout in a St. Louis Blues jersey, and earned his first shutout in two years.
Many have talked about how he hasn't stolen any games for the Blues, and how his last game was merely average. Well he certainly made up for that tonight, keeping the Blues in it from the start, and making quite a few saves he had no business making. His toe-save on the two-on-none early in the game was spectacular, then late in the game he makes another fantastic toe-save to keep it scoreless.
When the game went to the shoot-out it was T.J. Oshie and Kevin Shattenkirk scoring the only goals in the shootout and it was Miller, again, shutting the Flyers out.
The first period for the Blues was rather ugly at times. Alex Pietrangelo tripped on a back-check, and took down Kevin Shattenkirk with him to give the Flyers a two-on-none. Miller made a big save to keep it scoreless.
Countless turnovers, especially while trying to carry the puck into the offensive zone told a big story. They gave the Flyers multiple offensive chances due to their turnovers. Yet Miller was there to keep the puck out of the net all night long.
The second and third period were better for the Blues, as they picked up the play in the offensive zone, but failed to put the puck in the net again. Questions have to be asked, why can't this team put the puck in the net?
There is no doubt that the hole in the roster left by the injury to Vladimir Tarasenko has hurt the offense, but they have lost players all season long and have continued to score. Why has this injury hampered the Blues offense so much? That is the question, will we get an answer?
One has to be impressed with the play of Derek Roy, Maxim Lapierre, and Ryan Reaves tonight. They, more than any other line, had the more dominant puck control in the offensive zone. While you like seeing the fourth line getting chances like that, why weren't we seeing it out of the top lines?
The obvious answer would be they have the tougher match-ups. Yet when you see them get into the zone, pass it around, then turn it over with no real scoring chance, you have to be frustrated. Sometimes you just have to get into the zone and put the puck on goal. That's been the biggest difference for the Blues offense recently. They are getting into the zone, trying to set up the perfectly play, then turning it over.
The Blues need to simplify the offense. Get into the zone, get bodies to the net, and get pucks to the net. It's quite ironic, and it sounds simple. Yet the Blues continue to have problems making the simple plays offensively.
You really do have to praise Ray Emery for his performance tonight. When the Blues did get offensive opportunities, Emery was there to make a save. He was named the third star tonight and he deserved it.
Yet here we are, a 1-0 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, and within a point of first in the NHL. You can thank Ryan Miller for that.
I'm going to start doing a Q&A every Wednesday, so you can send your Blues related, or NHL related questions to me at RandallRitchey@gmail.com and I'll answer them every Wednesday.