Monday, March 19, 2018

Blues Win Overtime Thriller in Chicago 5-4

St. Louis Blues vs Chicago Blackhawks - Game 72 Recap
Goals: Steen (14), Dunn (5), Sobotka (11), Pietrangelo (15), and Berglund (10)
Record 39-28-5
My thoughts on this game

  • The Blues came out flat in this one and didn't match the energy that Chicago brought to the ice. The Hawks outshot the Blues 13-8 in the first period and got 2 goals from Alex DeBrincat at the 13:07 and 19:08 marks.
  • The Blues got to work quickly in the 2nd with a tip-in goal from Alexander Steen off a Vince Dunn shot from the point just 2:02 into the period and then tied it up at the 5:14 mark on another shot from Dunn.  This time he didn't need a tip-in. His slap shot never touched anything but twine and was his 5th of his rookie season.
  • With a little under 2 minutes to play in the period it looked like St. Louis had tied it up. A rush at the goal by Brayden Schenn and Jaden Schwartz ended with the red light on and the referee signaling "goal". As the play was being whistled dead, the puck was back out of the net and Schenn had an open net. 
  • That last statement will make more sense when I explain that after a review the "first" goal, which was called on the ice went to replay it was determined that it never totally crossed the line. Thus, nullifying the goal and any second chances that might have occurred afterwards.
  • Moments later, with less than 2 seconds left in the period, Vinnie Hinostroza hustled into the corner and beat everyone to a loose puck in the Hawks' offensive zone. He got the puck in front of the net where David Kampf poked it at Jake Allen's pad and skate up against the post. Before the puck was across the line, it looked as if Kampf kicked or stomped at it with his skate and then the puck was in. There were no challenges or reviews and with just 1.4 seconds left in the period, the Blackhawks were leading 3-2.
  • This game was far from over. Vladimir Sobotka scored to tie it up at the 15:24 mark. DeBrincat got the hat trick at 16:47 to give the Hawks the lead once again. It was his 3rd hat trick of his rookie season, quite an accomplishment for the kid.
  • As time wound down, the Blues pulled Allen in favor of an extra attacker. At the 18:38 mark the Captain came through with his 15th goal of the season. There was lots of traffic in front with Kyle Brodziak in the high slot and Alexander Steen, once again, down in front of the goaltender. Steen has taken on that role of getting in front and screening the goaltender. We've needed it all year and finally some guys have started getting there.
  • For the 2nd night in a row, the Blues would need overtime to get the 2 points. For Chicago, Jonathan Toews narrowly missed when a shot hit the crossbar and went up. But, as the Blues headed the other direction it was Patrik Berglund with the game-winner. His 10th goal of the season put the Blues in the win column for the 2nd night in a row.
  • The Blues are now just 1 point out of a wild-card spot. Ahead of them are Dallas, LA and Colorado. We play Colorado in the final game of the season. Let's hope it doesn't come down to that game for the playoff spot.
#AllTogetherNowStL #LGB

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