Preview: It’s a must-win or go-home game for the Blues…home crowd, last line change…all the clichés are there for the Blues who know they're a Wild Card team going up against the favored Presidents' Trophy winners. And they also know that the odds have been against them most of this season, which hasn't stopped them. Most hits of any playoff series and most penalty minutes of any playoff series…Jets vs Blues…Let’s GO BLUES!!
Mathieu Joseph will be back in the forward lineup as Texier takes a seat.
Blues up after 1 period…
The Jets had the early advantage and better forechecking, spending most of the time in the Blues' end. Binnington made an early strong save on the only shots in the first five minutes.
And the Blues on their first shot of the game light the lamp!! Philip Broberg one times a fluttering shot and Hellebuyck never sees it…Pavel Buchnevich is in the crease and is pushed into Hellebuyck by a Jets defender…no challenge by the Jets…the goal stands…1 to 0 at 6:05…Jimmy Snuggerud and Robert Thomas with the assists. Yes, the shot was high glove side…the serenade of Connor rains down from the fans.
A delay of game penalty called on the Jets at 6:37…Blues to the powerplay…only 1 shot on the PP.
Half way through the period shots are 2 to 1 in favor of the Blues…
Jake Neighbours takes down a Jet player, and they go on the powerplay with 9:34 left in the period…1 shot allowed.
Blues to the powerplay with 3:40 left…a close chance but the puck stays out of the net…Blues finished the period with 8 shots to 2 for the Jets.
Blues pile on in period 2…
Jets break-in seconds into the period…the shot beats Binnington high to the stick side…but the Blues challenge for offsides…it’s offsides and we remain 1 to 0. The crowd goes wild!!!
Justin Faulk with a penalty on the play 26 seconds into the period…Binnington had a huge left pad save on the only Jets shot on the PP. Weird that the Faulk hook happened on the disallowed goal…things that make you go…hmmmmm!
Nathan Walker takes an ill-advised penalty at 5:31…being reviewed as a potential 5-minute major…rules a 2-minute slashing penalty…and the Jets tie it up on the powerplay as a rebound off Colton Parayko is swatted into the net…bad penalty and the Jets make the Blues pay. Tied at 1…11 seconds into the penalty…their 6th shot of the game.
The Blues regain the lead as Nathan Walker makes up for his bad penalty by taking a pass from Broberg from behind the net to Walker, who roofs it over Hellebuyck. Faulk has the second assist. It's 2 to 1 Blues.
Brayden Schenn makes it 3 to 1- 53 seconds later as he moves in 1 on 1 and fires it past Hellebuyck to the glove side. Neighbours and Ryan Suter the assists.
Now it’s 4 to 1…Cam Fowler with 6:20 left…a shot from the slot beats Hellebuyck, who’s screened…Blues score 3 goals in 2 minutes and 6 seconds. Parayko and Alexi Toropchenko with the assists. Cam with his 10th point in the playoffs.
Blues to the powerplay for the 3rd time with 5:12 left in the period…Zack Bolduc drawing the penalty...and with 3:03 on the clock…Toropchenko with a wrister off a feed from Radek Faksa, who stole the puck along the boards…beats Hellebuyck low to the stick side. 5 to 1 Blues…4 goals in 5 minutes 23 seconds in 8 shots.
Another Jet penalty with 1:52 left in the period…no further scoring…period ends, Blues up 5 to 1 and 23 shots on goal to 11 for the Jets. All of the Blues' goals at 5 on 5.
Blues chase Hellebuyck…3rd period…
And we have a goalie change…Comrie in for Hellebuyck…3 game being pulled…”We want Connor… We want Connor…We want Connor”…but not on the bench…he must be resting…
At 3:14 of the period, we have some agitated players pushing and shoving with gloves in their faces… and three players from each team are in the box…. The Blues get a powerplay…Good pressure by the Blues, but no scoring.
More funny business with 12:50 left…and Brayden Schenn gets a penalty for apparently talking too much to his brother…The Jets score to make it 5 to 2 as one sneaks through the legs of Binnington as it deflects off a Blues player in front. 11:06 left…Jets' 2nd powerplay play goal of the game.
Extracurricular activity with 8:30 left behind the Blues' goal…Blues back to the powerplay…their 6th of the game…but that is cut short when Parayko takes a roughing penalty…4 on 4 for 52 seconds. Jets will have 1:08 Of PP time…Blues defend…
5 MINUTES!! With 4:28 left…the Jets' net is empty…6 on 5…and with 4 minutes left, Robert Thomas takes a high-sticking penalty…6 skaters on 4…Binnington a strong glove save…Binnington a sliding right pad save…penalty OVER!
2 MINUTES!! 6 on 5…Blues playing rope a dope and icing the puck as needed…Blues WIN 5 to 2!! Shots 27 to 22 in favor of the Blues! Blues win their 15th straight home game!
Game 7 Sunday in the Peg!! Need a road WIN!