A Look at Three Former St. Louis Blues Players in the First Round of the 2024 NHL Playoffs
By David Crum
The 2024 NHL playoffs have started, and true to form, a number of ex-Blues players and fan favorites are competing to advance from the first round.
Alex Pietrangelo - Vegas Golden Knights
Former St. Louis Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo's average ice time exceeds 20 minutes at 24:27. Pietrangelo has yet to contribute a goal or assist in the series. Still, his team, the Vegas Golden Knights, are tied 2-2 with the Dallas Stars.
Pietrangelo, a three-time all-star and two-time champion, undoubtedly adds veteran experience to the Golden Knights, which will be crucial in their tough matchup against the Stars, who won impressively Monday night, 4-2.
Ryan O'Reilly - Nashville Predators
Though his time with the Blues was shorter than Pietrangelo's, Ryan O'Reilly's reputation speaks for itself. O'Reilly is averaging 22:49 minutes on the ice, and the Nashville Predators are fighting for their playoff survival, currently down 1-3 to the Vancouver Canucks.
Currently, O'Reilly has scored one goal and also has one assist. Like Pietrangelo, O'Reilly's exceptional leadership and commitment to the game sets him apart as a player. O'Reilly and the Predators are up against the Canucks in a crucial game 5 heading into Tuesday night. It is win or go home for O'Reilly and the Predators.
Vladimir Tarasenko - Florida Panthers
Formerly regarded as one of the league's most talented and promising players, Vladimir Tarasenko has spent an average of 13:54 minutes on the ice. As Blues fans know all too well, injuries have plagued the last few years of his career, undoubtedly affecting his playing time.
His new team, the Florida Panthers, are on fire, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 in their series matchup. Despite his restricted playing time, Tarasenko equals O'Reilly's numbers with one goal and one assist from the series.
Center Aleksander Barkov and forward Matthew Tkachuk shine as team leaders, showcasing the Panthers' stacked roster of talent. Keep an eye on Tarasenko as round two begins, with Florida facing the Boston Bruins or Toronto Maple Leafs. Tarasenko, too, brings veteran leadership and knows what it takes to win the cup.