St. Louis Blues: Pros And Cons From Game 74 On EA Sports

The St. Louis Blues dropped their last two games on EA Sports. They were trying to get back on track against the Philadelphia Flyers.

The St. Louis Blues had not fared very well in their two previous attempts with the EA Sports version of the finish to the 2019-20 season. They dropped a heartbreaker to the San Jose Sharks and then got spanked by the lowly Ottawa Senators.

As they headed onto the road, the Blues had an opportunity to hit the reset button – pun intended. As they faced the Philadelphia Flyers, they were hoping to get back into the win column.

As they had the previous two games, things did not start off well for the Blues. A bad zone entry led to a turnover at the attacking blueline. Ivan Provorov took it on a breakaway and got it over the shoulder of Jordan Binnington to make it 1-0 Flyers.

The Blues still had more jump in this game. Perhaps it was facing former teammate Brian Elliott or maybe they were just tired of losing. Either way, it was helpful.

The Blues set up a beautiful one-timer late in the first period. Unfortunately, David Perron hit the post.

Early in the second period, St. Louis came close to tying the game again. This time it was Jaden Schwartz slicing back in front from the left, but firing it over the goal even though Elliott was out of position and it was almost an empty net.

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Finally, midway through the game, the Blues found an equalizing goal. Colton Parayko pinched in and unleashed a bomb from just outside the left circle to make it 1-1.

However, the lead would not last the period. Claude Giroux would utilize a Blues defender screening in front to score from the hashmarks on the right side.

In the third period, the Blues defenders kept the offense rolling. They scored just seven seconds into the third frame as a drop pass found Robert Bortuzzo for a slap shot goal to tie it 2-2.

Binnington had to bail out his team around four minutes into the period though. Philadelphia cut back across from the wall and fired a shot, but Binnington made the pad save and then a glove save on the rebound.

Things got really weird in the final minute of the third period. The Flyers seemed like they grabbed all the momentum, scoring with just 53 seconds left in the game.

Jaden Schwartz, who had been quiet to this point, stepped up big time. He scored from the left circle, with just 47 seconds remaining.

The game would go to overtime and it actually ended up being a goaltender’s duel. Both Elliott and Binnington made several high-quality saves in the extra period.

The Blues would not be outdone though. Vladimir Tarasenko, in his first game back from injury, would score the game winner with just 14 seconds left in the game.

Pros: Binnington

The goaltending for the Blues over the last couple games has been spotty. Both Jordan Binnington and Jake Allen have made some big saves, but also let up some questionable goals.

However, in this game, Binnington did a fine job of keeping his team in the game. Of course, any goaltender would not be happy surrendering three goals, but Binnington made the saves when he needed to.

He was sharp on his edges, making some quality sliding saves throughout the game. He came under seige in the third period with 11 Flyers shots in that period alone.

His saves late in the second period might have been game savers. If not for those saves, the late goal in the third period might have gave the Flyers a two-goal lead instead of just one.

Cons: More leaky defense

The disappointing part of this game was continued poor play by the Blues defense, as a whole. Normally, you can pick out a player or two and say it was a poor game. In this case, it was just about the entire unit.

Certain guys would step up and make a play here or there. Marco Scandella blocked some shots.

Obviously, Parayko unleashing a blast for a goal is a positive thing too. It just was not quite enough to say the entire defensive six had a decent game.

There were far too many turnovers. The Flyers got into the zone with too much ease.

Binnington was forced to make unimpeded saves, meaning there was little to no defensive help on some of the shots against. It was just a collective letdown.

Pros: Guys stepping up

On the positive side, we saw guys step up that had not done much in recent games. Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz were at the forefront of that.

Schwartz channeled his inner Winnipeg series game in this one. He scored in the final minute of play to tie things up for the Blues, force overtime and get, at least, a point.

Schwartz had not only not scored in recent games, but he was not even influential in any of the outcome. He got his minutes, but was not doing anything. To break out of that with a huge goal was big.

Tarasenko was also in that boat, though for a slightly more understandable reason. Coming back from injury, he seemed to be easing into things.

You hope your best players will step up in the big moments though. Tarasenko did that. Cutting past a defender at the blue line, Tarasenko showed some speed gaining the zone and then that traditional scoring ability by sniping one past Elliot for the win.

Overview

This was a good bounce-back game for the Blues. It was far from a perfect performance, but given how well Philadelphia had been playing, it was still a key win.

St. Louis needed to get a W because dropping three straight was not an option at this point in the season. Additionally, while the defensive unit was not great, the Blues had good performances all around.

Parayko scored. Schwartz and Tarasenko got off the schnide.

Ryan O’Reilly was dominant in the faceoff circle. Though he did not get on the score sheet, Brayden Schenn was a force as well.

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The Blues got the two points, even though it took an extra period, and that’s all that matters. Now, they can turn their attention to Carolina.

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