Goals: Sobotka (4), Steen (3) and Schenn (6,7)
Record 14-5-1
My Thoughts on Tonight's Game
- Edmonton came out on the first shift and tested the Blues. It looked at first like we might be in for another long night.
- This game was physical. Not just in the "hits" stat column but in every way. Guys getting hit with pucks, tempers flaring and extra curricular activities after the whistle were all very much a part of this game. Thorburn squared off and fought Kassian for a 5 minute fighting penalty early in the game but that was only a fraction of the bumps and bruises. It seemed like there was a lot of tension between these two teams that I wasn't really aware of. I'm not sure what the history is there, but 42 minutes in total penalties kind of tells the story.
- This game looked a lot more like the Blues that started the season. Good defense, smart decisions with the puck and good offensive pressure throughout the game.
- First goal was due to a poor play by the Edmonton goalie behind his net. Sobotka skated in to put some pressure on him and he mishandled the puck. It squirted out in front of the empty net and Sobotka was there to knock it in. The best part was that the goal came while the Blues were shorthanded. It was the first "shortie" of the season for them. As a reward for his goal, Sobotka was promptly hit in the side of the head by a puck off the stick of Edmondson who was trying to punch it into the offensive zone. Sobotka remained in the game.
- Schwartz was getting attention on the bench a couple of times in the third. I hope he's ok. We gotta have him! He's a bulldog.
- The trend of "we scored one, now it's your turn" that started in the Calgary game continued as we allowed a tying goal exactly 29 seconds after the Sobotka goal. It came while Edmonton was still on the power play, but would prove to be their only goal of the game. The Blues finally decided they didn't like playing the "we score, you score" game.
- The only goal in the second period was a power play goal by the Blues, an area where they have struggled mightily this season. (16.9%, 22nd in the league) Steen poked home a rebound on an Alex Pietrangelo shot.
- The Blues outshot the Oilers in every period but the 2nd period seemed to be where they took over the game outshooting the home team 19-12.
- Allen looked to be back in form as he saved 29 of 30 shots while facing last year's Hart Memorial Trophy winner, Connor McDavid and crew.
- Upshall continued his aggressive play around the net. He went in hard in the Calgary game and continued tonight.
- In the third period Schenn scored twice to notch his 6th and 7th goals of the season. He scored on a 2 on 1 break with a quick wrist shot over the right shoulder of goalie Cam Talbot. The second was a beautiful play. It started with Parayko outside the right circle who passed to Schwartz in front of the goal. Schwartz one-timed a little pass to Schenn down near the goal line and he pounded it home. Schenn had several good chances in this game and could have easily had 3 or 4 goals. I predict he will have a hat trick soon this season.
- I like this lineup as well as any we've had this season. Adding Berglund and Bouwmeester in the coming weeks will be interesting. Whoever Coach Yeo decides to move out when those guys return has had a lot of ice time during a stretch of good hockey by the Blues. The depth they will bring will be important as this season trudges along. It's a long season. Injuries and fatigue will come and having had experience during all this success will be important for our backups. It's not something I've heard talked about but I feel is a very valid point.
- It's hard to get these game recaps up on nights of late games, so please check back later the next day for my posts. Thanks for reading.
#AllTogetherNowStL #LGB #SpreadArisLight
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