The St. Louis Blues had nothing but pride to play for against the Seattle Kraken. After a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, coupled with another Vegas win, the Blues had officially been eliminated from the playoffs.
Still, guys needed to play for jobs and to put on a show for the fans in the final home game of 2023-24. In typical Blues fashion, it didn't start that way.
It was kind of a ho-hum first period for much of it. There was some back and forth, but there were only a total of 14 shots on goal between the two teams, but it was the Kraken who struck first.
Marco Scandella took the puck right into Jared McCann, turning it over at the attacking blue line. MacCann took it straight down the right wing and beat Joel Hofer over the glove hand for a 1-0 lead with just over five minutes left.
That kicked the Blues into gear. A kicked puck from the left well found Kasperi Kapanen with a little space in the neutral zone. He matched McCann, taking it down the left wing and sneaking it just under the blocker elbow to make it 1-1 going into the intermission.
In reality, nothing happened in the second period. There were no goals, despite some chances for the Blues.
St. Louis was good at puck control, holding the Kraken to just five shots. Still, Hofer did have to make one big save and the Blues also missed the net on some offensive plays, which was something that killed them against Carolina.
The Blues got things going pretty early in the third though. Weaving their way into the zone, a shot came from the right point. The rebound went right to Jordan Kyrou on the left hashmark and it was 2-1 just 59 seconds in.
The period went back and forth, but not a lot of purposeful action overall. Nevertheless, the Blues closed it out.
Brayden Schenn continued his late-season resurgence. Nick Leddy sprang the captain on a partial breakaway and though Schenn didn't get a goal on the initial look, he banked a goal line shot off the prone goalie's skate and in for a 3-1 score at 16:37.
The Kraken pulled their goaltender moments later. Though it took a little bit, the Blues finished it off with an empty net goal from Nathan Walker with a minute left.
The Blues sent the home fans home happy for the final time this season with a 4-1 win.
Pro: Bolduc
Some might be wondering what I'm smoking saying Zach Bolduc was a pro when he didn't score. However, he had more than enough chances.
Bolduc had three, or more, grade-A cracks at goal. He slid one under the goalie and hit the post, which was actually harder than just scoring.
Bolduc had two great looks from the slot too. One went off the blocker and another forced a good pad save.
What's impressive about this kid is his awareness and tenacity. He's a different player than Jake Neighbours and doesn't plant himself in front of the net, but he drives to the net and seems to have that unteachable sixth-sense of where to be.
Con: Turnovers
Turnovers happen in any game. However, over the last few seasons the Blues just find ways to really put the opponent in a good spot.
St. Louis finished the game with 13 statistical giveaways. If you follow the games through any season and also look at the box scores, statistical giveaways are often lower than what any fan would consider turnovers.
So, who knows how many times the Blues gave the puck away. Clearly, one turnover cost them dearly.
The Scandella turnover was just puzzling. An argument could be made that the pass put him in a difficult spot, but he skated right into the player with no clear intention of what he meant to do. I don't even blame Scandella specifically, but that's a boneheaded play and something the Blues have done at both blue lines all year long.
Overview:
This wasn't the best game of all time, but it was another example of how the Blues needed to play all season long. Seattle is a struggling team and the Blues found a way to put a foot on their throat, even if it was late.
St. Louis wasn't even at their very best, but that happens in any season in any game. You still find ways to grind through your lulls and make enough plays to get a win and the Blues did that as well.
Guys stepped up and made plays. Kapanen's goal had no business going in, but you need those breaks.
Schenn migh have done better on the initial drive to the net, but he stayed strong with a defender on him. The dink off the goalie's skate was also lucky, but he made his luck.
Kyrou's goal was a good example of what he needs to start doing. It's great to have all that skill and speed too, but you need to know where to be. Kyrou tends to kind of float through the zone at times, which, even though I loved the guy, was something Vladimir Tarasenko was guilty of.
Find the soft spot in the defense, get close to the net for rebounds and you'll get rewarded. Kyrou did that.
Walker's goal was an empty net goal, but he deserved that too. He'll never rise above a fourth line player, but he works his butt off almost every single shift, so he deserved that little nugget.
St. Louis has one more game this season, on the road in Dallas. Clearly, I hope they win, but I hope they just play well.
End the season right. You're not making the playoffs, but don't continue this roller coaster of playing well and then being made to look fools.
Even if we only get the same effort shown in this win against Seattle and they lose, that's still alright.