Blues Fall to Canucks, Show Promise Late

The St. Louis Blues (2-2-1) took on the Vancouver Canucks (3-2-0) in St. Louis Thursday night after a win and a loss in back-to-back road games over the weekend.  Prior to the game Blues Announcer John Kelly stated that at least 8 to 9 of the Blues players were affected by some sort of bacterial infection making its way through the club.

Jake Allen got his second start in goal, after a strong win against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday followed by a game off on Sunday.  Allen faced off against Ryan Miller in the opposite net, who the Blues acquired for their playoff run last season, then dropped after elimination.

It seems as though the Blues haven’t quite found their groove in these early games of the season.  Typically, this wouldn’t be worrisome so soon, however, it is the new players that appear to be doing the most work for the team.  With the exception of Jaden Schwartz, most of the old guys haven’t done as well as expected.  Without the work of Schwartz, the Blues could have easily come into this game with three or four losses.

“…we tried to make too many plays… instead of putting the puck to the net.” -LaPierre

The two problems plaguing the Blues are their lack of shots and poor passing/handling.  This was evident in tonight’s game as they didn’t score until they became more aggressive and outshot the Canucks in the second, which was the result of some excellent puck movement between the players.  Conversely, it was frustrating to watch the lack of aggression in the first, especially during their first power play when they allowed the Canucks to play a game of pass for 15 seconds because there were no Blue sweaters to challenge them.  In his post game interview with Darren Pang, Maxim LaPierre had the same observation from the bench, “”We didn’t play the way we should early, we tried to make too many plays… instead of putting the puck to the net.”

Starting in the second we saw a change we will hopefully see this season.  The Blues kept their shot counter climbing, their passing game stayed tight and by the mid of the third they showed themselves as the disciplined team St. Louis fans were used to last season.  Most importantly, though, the Blues did not take any careless penalties in the game.  You can’t really fault Berglund for the goal that put the Canucks further ahead in the third as a result of his weak contact penalty.  That’s just one of those things that happens.  The fourth goal is what it looks like when the next domino falls.

Tonight’s loss leaves the Blues 2-3-1 and the Canucks 3-2-0.  The road will only become more difficult ahead, as the Blues take on the Hawks (4-1-1) this Saturday.

1st Period – Right off the bat, following a mistimed Blues line change, Chris Higgins scores on a rebound.  1-0 Vancouver.  A little after five minutes, Canuck Brad Richardson takes a hooking penalty, but the Blues do nothing with the power play.  At eight minutes a problem with the glass behind a goal gives the players a ten minute break.  David Backes and Kevin Bieksa take matching minors with 2:12 left for roughing after a play, putting the teams 4 on 4.  With 1:28 left Chris Higgens pulls down Ian Cole and receives a roughing penalty giving the Blues a 4 on 3 power play followed by a 5 on 4 in the final 10 seconds.

2nd Period – The Blues start with a 5 on 4 advantage for 32 seconds from the remainder of the Higgens penalty in the first, but come up empty.  At 7:12 Derek Dorsett goes to the box for too many men on the ice.  Kevin Shattenkirk scores on the power play at 7:38 tying the game at 1.  Jaden Schwartz tries to clear the puck following a Higgens breakaway at 9:40, but it goes over the glass and he receives a delay of game penalty.  The Canucks go scoreless on the power play, then take a second too many men penalty with 7:21 left, which Alexandre Burrows served.  The Blues go scoreless in the power play.

3rd Period – At 4:54, Nick Bonino scores on a 2 on 1  breakaway.  2-1 Vancouver.  Luca Sbisa takes a tripping penalty at 6:48 putting the Blues on their fifth power play.  The Canucks keep the Blues scoreless.  Patrik Berlung receives a holding minor at 11:36.  Linden Vey scores on the power play putting the Canucks ahead 3-1 with 8:03 left.  The Blues pull Allen with 3:32 left in the game to make it 6 on 5.  Jannik Hansen clears the puck and hits the empty net putting the Canucks ahead 4-1 with 3:01 left.  The Blues put Allen back in goal.  The Canucks close out the game.