Goal: Carl Gunnarsson (5)
Record 32-19-3
- The Blues needed to bounce back after the loss two nights prior in Boston, and not wanting to end 'The Dads Trip' without a win meant they would need a better start than they've shown in the last two games.
- They faced a Buffalo team that has only won 6 games at home and sits dead last in the Eastern Conference, yet it took overtime back in December at Scottrade in order to beat them. This game would not be an easy two points either.
- One reason the Sabres are not the team their record would indicate is Swedish goaltender, Robin Lehner. The 26 year old takes up a lot of space in the net at 6'4" and 245 lbs. and came into this game having stopped 88 or his last 90 shots faced in his last 3 starts for a .978 save percentage and 2 shutouts. He would be equally as tough tonight.
- There were no goals in the first two periods, but there were chances. Kyle Brodziak may have had the best chance in the first period just 3 minutes in when he found some space in the high slot, got the puck right on his tape and got a good shot on goal. Lehner made the stop.
- Speedy franchise player, 21 year old Jack Eichel, fresh off his appearance in the NHL All-Star Game nearly scored when his shot hit the stick handle or possibly the knob of the stick of Carter Hutton on Buffalo's first power play opportunity in the 1st period.
- The Blues were perfect on the penalty kill, going 4 for 4 while a man down. They also were 0 for 1 on their own power play.
- The Blues played a lot more physical in this one and held Buffalo to just 5 shots on goal in the first period while putting 9 shots of their own on Lehner.
- The second period was much more of the same with a little more offense by both sides. 4 minutes into the period Eichel took a shot from the top of the right circle that hit Hutton's stick and knocked it all the way to the corner. Even when the puck was cleared Hutton couldn't get to it because Buffalo regained control of the puck quickly and skating to the corner would have given them an empty net to shoot at. Vince Dunn finally gave Hutton his own stick and then helped retrieve the goalie stick and managed to switch with Hutton and avoid any damage.
- Tarasenko had the best scoring chance when linemates Schenn and Schwartz found him skating in from the right side. The quick passing caused Lehner to be out of position as he was on the left side of the goal, leaving the right side totally open. Vladi either didn't realize the goal was so wide open or he had anticipated that the goalie would recover, so he skated across the front of the net with the puck and looked like he wanted to go to the left side. He hit some traffic and Lehner got in position and made the save. Hindsight is 20/20 and I'm sure Vladimir wishes he had that one back. He doesn't miss too many chances like that one.
- In the third period Schenn had the puck all alone in front and got Lehner on his stomach. Schenn took the puck to his forehand to the left of Lehner and had lots of net to shoot at, but Lehner managed to make the save with his right leg or skate. Schenn couldn't get it over him.
- Five seconds later, the puck cycled back around to Tarasenko in the high slot and his snipe shot was stopped by Lehner. Brodziak also had a good chance from in front that was stopped.
- The only goal came from an unlikely source, defenseman Carl Gunnarsson. His career-high 5th goal of the season came after a faceoff in the St. Louis offensive zone. The puck came to Gunnarson at the left point. His shot found its way through traffic, over the right shoulder of Lehner, grazed the crossbar and into the net. It was all they needed, besides a little help from the crossbar on the net at the other end of the ice. (More on that in a second)
- The goal by Gunnarsson, who has been a healthy scratch in 10 or so games this season (he's played 43 of 54 games) started with a faceoff win by Steen who also stayed between his faceoff opponent and Gunnarsson without getting whistled for interference. It also may not have gone in the net without Vladi Sobotka skating in front and screening Lehner.
- Gunnarsson, according to Coach Yeo, hasn't deserved to sit but the Blues have found themselves with depth at defense and everyone can't play every night. He's proven a lot of people wrong with his steady play on defense. He was a 7th round draft pick, selected 194th overall in the 2007 draft. He played 4 years in Toronto and is now in his 4th year in St. Louis. He is a +14 on the season and +40 for his career.
- 1 Goal is all it took, but it took lots of other players doing the little things to make it happen. To highlight some other things that go unmentioned, Patrik Berglund won 55% of his faceoffs in the game. Stastny won 55% of his and Brodziak won 50% of his. Alexander Steen blocked 4 shots in the game. Parayko blocked 3, Bouwmeester and Edmondson blocked 2 apiece.
- Lastly, Carter Hutton. Where would we be without this guy? He stopped all 27 shots he faced and got his 3rd shutout of the season. His stats got even better as his GAA dropped to 1.61 and his save percentage went up to .947. He leads the ENTIRE NHL in both of those stats.
- Hutton did get a little help from the crossbar. I don't remember the exact time of the play but in desperation to tie the game, Buffalo pulled the goalie to get an extra attacker. During some sustained pressure in the closing moments a shot got past Hutton and hit the crossbar. Unlike Gunnarsson's shot, this one deflected upward and the shutout remained.
- It might not seem like a lot to just score 1 goal against the team with the worst record in the East, but they had a hot goalie who played brilliantly against us. It was a game on the road in the NHL and Buffalo has some talented players. Sometimes 1 goal is all you get. And tonight it was enough.
- 3 tough games against Division opponents this week with Minnesota on Tuesday, Colorado on Thursday, both in St. Louis, and then Winnipeg on the road on Friday.
#AllTogetherNowStL #LGB
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