Game 3 for the St. Louis Blues and Game 2 for the Knights who sat at home while the Blues made a spectacular comeback in San Jose. The Knights won their first game, distancing themselves 8 to 4 over the Avalanche.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph made his debut on defense with the Blues, paired with goal scoring legend (tongue in cheek) Ryan Suter replacing Matthew Kessel. PO is joining his brother, Mathieu, in their first NHL game together. The Josephs will become the seventh set of brothers to suit up for the Blues, joining the Picards, Plagers, O’Sheas, Bennetts, Cavallinis and the Sutters.
Jordan Binnington back between the pipes after a night off in San Jose. Pavel Buchnevich at 13:13 puts the Blues on top with a great backhand shot from the slot. Jordan Kyrou with a slick pass to set Pavel free to beat VGK goalie Aden Hill.
A quick turnaround by VGK as Jack Eichel ties it up at 11:58, skating around Colton Parayko and a fake to his backhand to beat Binnington (fifth shot on goal). Ivan Barbashev with an assist…what’s with these ex-Blues coming back to haunt…as its Barbashev with a tap in on a backhand no look pass from Stone at 1:47 to make it 2 to 1 VGK. It was the Knight's 10th shot of the period. End of Period 1: VGK 2 - Blues 1. Shots 10 to seven in favor of the Knights. Face-offs even.
The Knights go up by two when Parayko valiantly blocks a shot and is down and unable to defend as Shea Theodore fires a shot from the point and beats Binnington glove side after Jordan kicked out a juicy rebound.
But here come the Blues...Mathieu Joseph on a break is slashed…Blues go to the man advantage at 13:59. Buchnevich at 12:31 one times a crossing pass from Kyrou and roofs it glove side to beat Hill. End of two…3 to 2 VGK. Shots in the 2nd period VGK 12 to six for the Blues. Face-offs virtually even. 17 to 16 VGK.
Is there a comeback for the third game in a row for the Blues?
Looking to mount another comeback in the third period...the Blues have the edge in play the first 13 minutes…however a floater from the point beats Binnington glove side. Nicholas Roy makes it 4 to 2 VGK at 7:07. The Blues bring it within one when Robert Thomas gets his first of the year at 4:56 on a break right down central and a wrister beats Hill. Buchnevich with a pass to put Thomas in all alone. The Blues had a chance to finish off the comeback with the man advantage with 4:12 left in the game as VGK was assessed a delay of game penalty...however...no shots on goal with the man advantage.
A Solid start to the season...despite the loss...Final 4 to 3 Knights. VGK out shoots the Blues 28 to 22 and the Blues have a slight edge in face-offs overall.
Observations: fourth line solid. Skated hard…took bodies all game. Suter on defense needs to play more. Nick Leddy and Parayko need to play less (each a minus-2 on the night). Faulk and Philip Broberg a good combo. Thomas, Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours a combined minus-8 tonight. Binnington will definitely want two of tonight's goals back as they were shots he normally handles. Third game in a row where the Blues lead in the face-off circle. Blues take four points out of six in their first three road games.
Home opener is Tuesday against the Wild.
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