The match-up between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars was painful for Blues fans, to say the least.
But if you were Jamie Benn’s biggest fan, it was a banner night.
Hattttttttttttttyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Mr @jamiebenn14 one of many to come. #leaderslead
— Tyler Seguin (@tseguinofficial) February 18, 2015
I’ll tell you this much: it was a miserable game to be a Blues goaltender.
The Stars quickly scored three in a row, two by Benn and one by Eakin before slowing their pace and settling into a hard-bodied game played just as frequently in the corners as in the center of the ice.
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Blues backup goalie Jake Allen stepped in for first-stringer Brian Elliott after he let the initial three in during the first. Allen managed to hold the Stars to only one more goal in the second (for Benn’s hat trick, actually) on a power play goal.
Elliott spent much of his 12 or so minutes on the ice looking increasingly desperate for his defense to push the opponents out of the zone, and the defenders spent their time getting caught flatfooted again and again by a Stars offense that was more on than they have been all year.
I talked about the Stars-Blues matchup in our game preview:
"With so many forwards out for Dallas, the best recourse is to play a smart game of shut-down defense. And, of course, score.They have, of course, winger and captain Jamie Benn whose size makes him even more dangerous than his skill. Backes and Benn have gone at it a few times in the past, but it would be incredibly foolish of Benn to risk yet another injury to his team when they’re going to have to fight for every point available to them in the upcoming weeks. The Stars are more likely to focus on moving the puck and not playing such a physical game, which will give St. Louis the edge.While the Blues clearly should focus on staying in the offensive zone, this is an opportunity for St. Louis to work on their defensive pairings and smooth out any kinks in their play before they take on tougher opponents, such as Boston, Pittsburgh and Montreal. Their game against the Panthers on Sunday was very loose, allowing for far too many shots on goal (a total of 41) and relying mainly on goaltender Brian Elliott to save their skins."
While I wasn’t totally right (the Stars did not shy away from their reputation as more physical players) I wasn’t completely wrong.
Dallas did indeed concentrate on and display excellent puck movement. This was a great chance for the Blues to practice that quick start and shake off the rust that had developed among their lines, and they wasted both. St. Louis’ defense clearly did not expect such an explosive start to the game, caught in their typical ten minute warm-up, and fell far behind.
While they rallied in the second and third, with defensive center Patrik Berglund even scoring a goal for St. Louis, the damage was done and the game ended, probably just in time for the Blues’ egos.
How Did They Play?
Ehhhhhhhh…
The Blues took a number of what I can only term stupid penalties in the second and third. Tripping, fighting, interference and too many men penalties gave the Stars more power plays and opportunities to wear St. Louis out. And Jackman’s instigation and fighting penalty in the third practically screamed that he had given up on the Blues ever getting back in this game.
Feb 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg (3) and Jason Spezza (90) fight St. Louis Blues center Patrik Berglund (21) for the puck during the second period at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Player of the game? Patrik Berglund. He might not have won the official POG award, but he deserved it. His defensive presence, constant pressure up and out of the Blues’ zone, and that one goal made all the difference for St. Louis tonight. Especially in the face of a ridiculous number of hits and fights. If you had to miss one game this season (and it wasn’t against the Coyotes in early January), make it this one.