Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Blues sweep the week, host the Devils as Hockey Is For Everyone

February 12, 2019, 5:07 PM ET [13 Comments]
Jason Millen
St Louis Blues Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


The Blues capped an entertaining and productive weekend of hockey by winning the road side of their home and home series with the Nashville Predators in overtime by a score of 5-4. Vladimir Tarasenko scored the hat trick, giving him four in the two games, doubling the number of goals Jaden Schwartz has put past goaltenders this season.

The 1st period came and went without any goals with the Blues playing an OK road period while getting outshot 8-4 even though they had an extra power play.

Less than three minutes into the 2nd period, the Blues would get on the board as Alex Pietrangelo scored a power play goal, ringing his shot off the post and in.

Of course, the real key to the play was the defensive play made by rookie Robert Thomas to disrupt a quality Nashville scoring chance and to start the play back the other way.

Thomas really continues to improve his play after returning from injury.

Less than two minutes later Vladimir Tarasenko would double the lead to two as Juuse Saros fades too much to his right, exposing a lot of net to his high glove side. Tarasenko takes what is given and snipes the corner. Look at the open net on Saros’ glove side.


Viktor Arvidsson cut the lead in half only 25 seconds later with a tap in goal on a play where the Blues got caught running around in their own zone. Alex Pietrangelo chases his man out high and Brayden Schenn is late to cove the on rushing Ryan Ellis, allowing for the pass and easy goal for Arvidsson. Jake Allen had no chance at a save on the play short of somehow breaking up the pass.

Less than a minute later, Tyler Bozak would get the two goal lead back with a crazy backhand shot.


The Predators came out flying in the third period and get rewarded just not even three minutes into the period on a wraparound goal by Roman Josi. Allen plays Josi’s drive to the net too aggressively and gets outside the net, making it impossible for him to get back to the far post to stop Josi. Vince Dunn prevented a goal on a very similar play earlier in the game.

Less than four minutes later, the Predators tied the score on Arvidsson’s second goal of the game. The Predators had a measly two on four rush but somehow Arvidsson inexplicably gets left all alone at the far post and Ryan Johansen makes a good play to find him with the pass for an easy goal.

A little over a minute later, Tarasenko would get his 2nd goal of the game and giving the lead again. It’s a bit of a lucky goal as it goes off a stick and bounces off the ice and by Saros. These type of shots are so hard to stop.

Filip Forsberg tied the game less than six minutes later shortly after Ryan O’Reilly had been tripped along the wall in the defensive zone. Instead of taking Forsberg’s body, Colton Parayko tries to break up the play with his stick and then to block the shot with his body. He does neither and Allen is able to make a strong 1st save but can’t stop the rebound. Parayko should have taken the body on the play.

The team showed its mental fortitude, getting the game to overtime until Tarasenko won it with this hat trick, overtime game winning goal.


Jake Allen stopped 40 shots in the victory, the Blues sixth in a row. They are 10-2-1 in their last 13 games and sit in the 1st wild card playoff spot. It’s amazing to consider this stretch of hockey given Schwartz’s lack of goal production (shooting percentage of 2.6% which includes 1 for 1 on empty nets) and with David Perron missing significant time.

Tonight the Blues host the Devils on #HockeyIsForEveryone night. The Devil have been struggling, winning just 3 of their last 10 games and are only 7-17-3 on the road this year. The Devils give up the 5th most goals per game even though they have the 4th best penalty kill.

Kyle Palmieri leads the Devils with 41 points in 55 games. Damon Severson leads the defense with 26 points in 55 games. Keith Kinkaid is expected to get the start in net. He has a 3.15 goals against average with an 89.8% save percentage this year.



The Blues have won nine straight against the Devils. Tarasenko has 12 points and seven goals during his eight game point streak. Jordan Binnington was named the NHL’s #1 Star of the week for last week.

As you would expect, the Blues will keep the lineup the same other than having Jordan Binnington return to the starter’s net.
Schenn - O'Reilly – Tarasenko
Schwartz - Bozak – Steen
Sanford - Sundqvist - Maroon
MacEachern - Barbashev - Thomas
Edmundson - Pietrangelo
Bouwmeester - Parayko
Dunn - Bortuzzo
Binnington


NHL Champions for Charity
We’ve gotten some traction on the charity wager among the Central Division bloggers. One charity I’ll highlight is Best Buddies Tennessee https://www.bestbuddies.org/tennessee/from your Predators’s Blogger Paul McCann. Best Buddies Tennessee is dedicated to establishing a volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a side note, I recently got to experience a Best Buddies even in the St. Louis area that was led by the Eureka high school football team. It was a lot of fun and brought a lot of joy to those involved.

It’s a great day for hockey.
Join the Discussion: » 13 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Jason Millen
» There is no quit in these Blues
» Helter Skelter Game 3
» Blues play a stronger game two and keys to game three
» Blues play weak in Game One
» Often less is more at the trade deadline