Blues Goose-Egg Maple Leafs, Elliot Earns Shutout
By Brent Scott
The St. Louis Blues (28-13-4) shutout the Toronto Maple Leafs (22-21-3) 3-0 Saturday in St. Louis. The Blues came to the game hoping to make up for their 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings with just 2.2 seconds left in overtime. This loss ended their 5 game winning streak. Toronto also entered the game off a loss. Theirs was to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and lengthened their winless streak to 3.
More from Bleedin' Blue
- St. Louis Blues Prospects Shine And Fizzle In Prospects Showcase
- St. Louis Blues Giving Nick Ritchie A Look Is No Lose Situation
- St. Louis Blues Torey Krug Already Injured Before 2023-24 Season
- St. Louis Blues Need Kasperi Kapanen To Be On Best Behavior
- Former St. Louis Blues Forward Going Into Hall Of Fame
This win was crucial for the Blues to regain both their confidence following a tough loss and momentum climbing the standings. They preliminarily took 2nd place in the Central Division from the Chicago Blackhawks who had the night off. The current leaders, the Nashville Predators, had a tough outing against the Red Wings that resulted in a loss which held them at 64 points. Following the win, the Blues hit 60.
GAME RECAP
The game started with Brian Elliot having to make a save in the first 30 seconds. At 1:18 T.J. Oshie was given a slashing penalty following a turnover. The Blues killed the penalty without allowing a shot. Near the five minute mark, the Blues put their first shot on goal.
The Maple Leafs led in scoring chances but at 7:21 Richard Panik was called for hooking which slowed the assault. The Blues were unable to score on the power play but took several shots. Shortly after the penalty the Leafs regained their momentum and with less than 5 minutes left they led in shots 14 to 6.
At 16:40 Kevin Shattenkirk carried the puck down the goal line and backhanded it into the net to put the Blues up 1-0. Maxim Lapierre and Ryan Reaves earned assists. The Blues held on to their lead to the end of the period.
The second period started with a lot of back and forth play and neither team could buy a shot. At 4:49 Alex Pietrangelo went to the box for crosschecking. The Blues killed the penalty allowing no shots. Halfway through the period the Blues closed in on the shot lead and after 11 minutes they took it over.
The Blues gained the momentum as the period went on and a lot of time was spent in the Leafs’ zone. At 17:08 James Van Riemsdyk went off for holding. The Blues couldn’t find a goal. The period ended with the Blues’ 1-0 lead intact and with them leading in shots 23-19.
At the start of the third period Jori Lehtera missed on an early chance after a steal. At 1:38 Alexander Steen scored on a backhand to put the Blues up 2-0. Pietrangelo and Backes earned assists. The Blues continued to put up pressure and increase their shots to the middle of the period.
The Leafs increased their efforts but at 11:23 Roman Polak went to the box for boarding Lehtera. The Blues couldn’t score on the power play. At 15:00 Oshie scored off a pass from Steen on a break to put the Blues up 3-0. Backes received the second assist.
The Blues continued to put up pressure as the clock wound down and held the puck in the Leafs’ zone for the final moments of play. The Blues ended the game 3-0 which earned Elliot a shutout win.
HOW THEY PLAYED
A win is a win, but this win was different from the wins during their streak. Those wins were a battle of goals, with the Blues usually ending up ahead by four or five. In (some of) those games, despite having a high winning score, the Blues still let in a few too many. Offense was great. Defense was average.
This game was different. Aside from a first period of giveaways and Maple Leafs’ shots, the Blues played an overall patient and controlled game. As they entered the second period and played out the game the team successfully adjusted their strategy and held the Leafs back while slowly padding their own score. I prefer this patient strategy.
That said, patience has a place when on a power play but the Blues were, perhaps, a little too patient. The first power play was full of some solid scoring opportunities. The other two were played out like a game of keep away which often resulted in broken or missed passes. Yeah, the Blues won in the end but these are prime scoring chances. A team with a power play ranking like the Blues should be able to capitalize with three chances and should come out with more than a couple of shots.
Finally, I know this isn’t anything anyone hasn’t already heard from the announcers, myself or other sportswriters; but can we just take a moment to appreciate the value of Jay Bouwmeester. By their nature, defensemen don’t put up the same sort of numbers as forwards which can leave them in the shadows. Bouwmeester zeroed on stats this game but he has the ability, in this game and others, to open things up and indirectly change the game.
Bouwmeester has great speed and coverage in the defensive zone as well as remarkable skills in creating explosive offensive sequences. Bouwmeester skates as many shifts as the top offensive lines and is usually present in both power play and penalty kill situations. This is what a well-rounded player looks like.
What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below. And hey, if you’ve really got a lot on your mind consider joining our writing staff?