The St. Louis Blues just got done embarrassing the defending Stanley Cup champions by a score of 6-2. Surely, they could have had just as good a game against a similar team in the Tampa Bay Lightning, right? Surely.
Well, we got hit with reality just 21 seconds into the game. Pontus Holmberg got a deflection on the puck that sent it back to the glove-side post while Jordan Binnington was tracking the shot to the blocker-side post.
Instead of digging their heels in and getting right back into the game, the Blues decided to spend more than 25% of the period in the penalty box. The Blues went to the penalty box three times, and Tampa cashed in on one of those. Interestingly, it was on the first one with about three seconds left when the Lightning took a shot from out high, and it went off of Justin Faulk to make it 2-0.
St. Louis took two more penalties late in the period. Thankfully, they did kill those off, but their ability to even attempt a comeback was doubtful.
Although the Blues have regularly been awful in the second period, they did manage to turn it on a bit. Staying out of the box early helped, and eventually, the Blues got on the board. Otto Stenberg took the initial shot, Tyler Tucker picked up the loose puck and took it around the net to set up a one-time blast from Faulk at the point. It was 2-1 with 13:17 left.
Then the Blues went back to being the Blues. Despite winning a battle in the corner, they failed to connect on an outlet pass up the middle, and Tampa scored on another deflection to make St. Louis pay and regain the two-goal lead with about 12 left.
The refs handed Tampa a goal in the third period. The Blues did turn it over through the neutral zone, which led to a break for the Lightning. However, even though Logan Mailloux made a good defensive play, they called it a hold. Tampa was then allowed to just pass the puck around and hit a backdoor play on the blocker side to make it 4-1.
St. Louis was handed a makeup call shortly after that. However, their power play struggles continued as they got one shot at the opportunity.
The Blues had a look here or there, including a Philip Broberg move that channeled his inner Mario Lemieux. He split the defense and had a partial breakaway, but there wasn't enough room to make a move, and he got stopped.
Pro: Faulk
I want to see this as a good thing, but you can only do that in a vacuum. In the season as a whole, it's not a great thing that a defender is tied for the team lead in goals.
However, at least the guy is shooting. St. Louis had 24 shots, and Faulk had four of those. That's over 16% of the team's shots to one man, who is a defenseman.
Faulk also had a block and a takeaway.
Con: Binnington's stats
If you blame this game on Jordan Binnington, you're a fool. I don't say you won't have some company, but you lack context.
But, win or lose, this team is wrecking Binnington's stats on a regular basis. They find ways to keep shot totals low, but do not stop things at the opportune time.
Meanwhile, Tampa had two deflections and a shot that was going wide goes off the body of Faulk and in. What is any goalie going to do about those? Stop watching the slow-motion replays and understand there is absolutely no chance to react.
The ironic thing is, I was just making fun of the Toronto Maple Leafs for allowing five goals on 18 shots, then the Blues turn around and allow four goals on 17 shots. That gives Binner a .765 save percentage. Not sure how he's going to get things turned around when the team gives him no support.
Con: Penalties
The second Tampa power play goal was nonsense. There was no hold.
Regardless of that, this team is undisciplined because they put themselves behind the eight ball all game.
You have tons of defensive zone turnovers, which causes guys to reach and be out of position. Even on the made-up penalty, you allow a break into the zone with awful puck control.
This is not the first game the Blues have allowed four power plays to their opponent, and, unfortunately, it won't be the last.
Overview:
The Blues had no chance in this game, but sadly, it's not even because Tampa is that much better than them. While I give credit to the Lightning for getting to the middle of the ice and getting the tip, there has to be more of a body on the man who got the deflection for the first goal.
The game was not even 30 seconds old, so you're about as fresh as you'll ever be. This team continues to just react instead of reading the game and getting things taken care of before anything can materialize.
Talking about the Binnington stats, don't trust the fact that the Blues outshot Tampa either. Andrei Vasilevski made one, maybe two, really good saves. St. Louis was mostly one and done. Even though the Blues had more shots and attempts, the Lightning had nearly three minutes more offensive zone time than the Blues. That's horrendous.
Also, I try not to pick on individuals, but this article would be remiss without mentioning Pavel Buchnevich continuing to be more of a hindrance than a positive. The coaches definitely see something I don't, but he's to blame for the third goal. It's not the best pass in the world from Mailloux, but there's no reason for a veteran like Buchnevich to miss it. That turnover leads directly to a goal.
The Blues are still in striking distance of a playoff spot, but if we're realistic, that's because the Western Conference is mediocre other than a few teams at the top. If this team is hoping to turn it on after the Olympic break, they've got another thing coming.