Blues 5-2 Winners in Winnipeg

St. Louis Blues vs Winnipeg Jets - Game 57 Recap

Goals: Tarasenko (22,23), Berglund (8), Steen (12) and Schwartz (17)

Record 34-20-3

My thoughts on the game

• One night earlier, with the Avalanche in town, the Blues showed similar form as they had at the start of the season. Because of what we've seen at other times this year, we wondered what would happen at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada against a red-hot Jets team.
• Would it be a drop off and loss to a Division opponent ahead of us in the standings who is in the middle of a 10 game homestand and who hadn't lost at home since Dec. 14th, or would the Blues continue to play like they did on Thursday night against Colorado?
• The score indicates the latter. It was a good night for Blues fans. Here's how we saw it unfold.
• The first period was scoreless but only due to some big saves by Jake Allen, who earned the start on the 2nd night of a back-to-back, along with some strong defensive play by the Blues.
• St. Louis' best chance came on a power play early in the game when some good puck movement set up Vladi Sobotka in close to the net and Connor Hellebuyck out of position, or so it seemed. Hellebuyck stretched back to the open side of the net and blocked Sobotka's shot with his right skate. 
• The Jets' best chance was spoiled by Robert Bortuzzo, who lifted the stick of a Jets player who had a wide open net on the back side of Jake Allen. The pass slid harmlessly across the crease and into the corner. Bortuzzo's timing was perfect and I only saw it by rewinding and watching in slow motion.
• For the second night in a row, someone was careless with the puck in front of our own goal as Carl Gunnarsson fanned on a pass and gave the puck away, creating a one-on-one but Jake made the save to keep the Jets off the board in the first.
• The Blues held Winnipeg to just 5 shots on goal in the first period, while managing 9 of their own.
• For the second night in a row, the Blues exploded in the 2nd period. Having scored 4 goals one night earlier in the middle frame, they put 3 in the net tonight.
• It all started with what must be the most frustrating thing to opposing teams...the St. Louis Blues forecheck. When they get it going opponents must feel like they've been attacked by a swarm of hornets. They are relentless and just keep coming and the only relief from it is to give up the puck and let the Blues have it.
• The first goal was scored by Tarasenko at the 4:18 mark, his first in 7 games. It was good to see him get one in the net after having played what Mike Yeo said was his best game in a month the night before. 
• The play started with Schenn outworking someone and stealing the puck along the boards, then Steen out-hustled and outsmarted another Jets player in the corner for the puck. His pass to Tarasenko was barely ever on the tape of Vladi's stick before it was on its way to the back of the net. It was a beautiful sniper goal.
• On the Jets' next offensive push, a shot from the point was redirected by Kyle Connor but Jake came up with a brilliant glove save to keep it out of the net.
• The Blues turned up the offensive heat midway through the period as Barbashev found himself all alone in front. He was probably already celebrating in his mind, but Hellebuyck managed to get his glove on the puck and it sailed high. 
• However, the offensive pressure led to a nice redirect tip by Patrik Berglund from the high slot that beat the goalie high on the stick side at the 10:13 mark.
• 1 minute and 27 seconds later Alexander Steen slapped home a rebound for his 12th goal of the season. This goal was a direct result of the forechecking. It was 3-0 St. Louis.
• The Jets got a goal late in the period. A shot that was wide of the net hit Vince Dunn in the leg and went in to close the gap to 3-1.
• The Blues were whistled for 3 penalties in the third period as Winnipeg turned up their offensive attack. You can't give the Jets power plays and win very many games. They have a 24% success rate on the season, good for 2nd in the NHL.
• Jake prevented a goal on their first power play with a nice save. We also managed to make it through the second one without giving them a goal.  The penalty kill was 5 for 5 the night before, only allowing 1 shot on goal by Colorado in 5 power plays.
• The good fortune wouldn't last all night, though. On their 3rd power play, a shot was blocked by Pietrangelo and broke his stick. Moments later the Jets' sniper, Patrik Laine's slap shot beat everyone to make it a 3-2 game. The building suddenly had some energy.
• It didn't last long, though as Tarasenko got his 2nd goal of the game just 1 minute and 6 seconds later. Bouwmeester's shot caromed off the boards behind the net and came out on the other side. Vladi raced to the puck and from an almost impossible angle nearly on the goal line, put it over the crouching goaltender to make it 4-2. 
• Schwartz would add an empty net goal as the Blues were a man down and Winnipeg had pulled the goalie, so it was a 6 on 4 shorthanded goal.
• The Blues only allowed 22 shots on goal. They played well in front of Jake and he had a good game with some nice saves on a good offensive team. He became the 3rd winningest goalie in Blues history with 109 wins, passing Grant Fuhr.
• This team seems to have pulled it together after a disappointing effort at home on Tuesday. The Division race is tight. The Conference race is tight. Things don't get any easier. Two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions will be in town Sunday and then it's road games in Nashville on Tuesday and Dallas on Friday. 

#AllTogetherNowStL #LGB