Preview: Zack Bolduc is back in the lineup with his +11 rating…the top NHL rookies…will play with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich as the St. Louis Blues (23-22-4) host the Dallas Stars (30-17-1) who are playing the back of a back-to-back after edging the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3. The Stars hold down the 2nd spot in the Central Division. Nathan Walker sits and Jordan Binnington will be in the net…Casey DeSmith starts for Dallas.
The Blues are 6-2-2 after losing in a regulation game under Jim Montgomery and have won 4 of their last 6 at home. Radek Faksa faces the Stars for the first time after playing for them for his first 9 seasons.
Dallas scores twice in Period 1…
Blues only had 17 shots in their last game against Vegas and need to rebound from a poor shooting performance…however, it takes 4:30 for the Blues to get credited for their 1st shot.
The Stars strike first on an awkward goal as the puck flutters through the defense and Binnington is beaten 5-hole. Their 5th shot…1-0 at 12:53.
With 12:21 the first penalty of the game is called against Jake Neighbours for roughing. Dallas is ranked 22nd on the powerplay and with 3 seconds remaining on the PP they go backdoor and have no chance for Binnington…their 7th shot...2-0 Stars.
Blues get their first powerplay with 6:33 left in the 1st period. Two shots but no goals…good puck movement and a reluctance to shoot…
The period ends 2 to 0 Stars and the Blues with an advantage in shots 12 to 9…but not many grade-A scoring chances. The Blues with 18 hits to 4 for Dallas.
Stars hold the 2-goal lead through 2 periods…
Blues have the edge in play in the first 5 minutes of period 2 with 5 shots to 1 for Dallas….and reach the 17-shot mark to match their total from last game.
Blues go on the penalty kill 9:18 into the period…Buchnevich for tripping…a must-kill for the Blues…which they do allowing 1 shot while the Blues had two good shorthanded chances.
The period ends with the Stars still leading 2 to 0 while the Blues have out shot the Stars 26 to 15…and outhit them 30 to 15.
Period 3…Stars hold on for the win...
Stars are 21-1-1 when leading after 2 periods.
Brayden Schenn takes a high-sticking penalty in the first minute. The Stars had three shots…but the story of the two minutes was Colton Parayko leading 3 rushes shorthanded and giving the Blues a chance to score…still 2 to 0…Stars with 3 shots on the PP.
5 minutes!! Blues are dominating the period with the majority of the time being spent on the Stars end. Shots are 31 to 19 for the Blues…have hit several posts and missed some open nets. Blues pull Binnington with 4:25 left…down 2 goals…great possession and puck movement…but are unable to score and are shut out for the first time this season…Blues out shot and out hit the Stars…shots 33 to 19…DeSmith with the shutout. Hits were 38 to 21. The Blues are back to .500.