Preview: A HUGE game as the St. Louis Blues (43-30-7) face the Seattle Kraken (34-40-6) with just 2 games left, the final playoff spots are still up for grabs. The Blues and Wild are tied at 93 points and hold the 2 Wild Card spots. Each team has two games left. Calgary is close behind with 90 points and 1 game in hand. The Blues control their destiny. Win their final two games, and they’re into the playoffs.
The lineup has a bit of juggling…Mathieu Joseph is back in for Dvorsky, and Colton Parayko is back from injury after missing 17 games and is in for Philip Broberg (out for personal reasons). Ryan Suter plays in his 1,525th career game, moving into 19th all-time ahead of ex-Blue Brendan Shanahan.
Jordan Binnington in net for the Blues and Philipp Grubauer for the Kraken.
Scoreless in Period 1…
The first five minutes were uneventful, as neither team was able to put a puck on net. The Blues got the first shot 6 minutes and 30 seconds into the period.
The Blues take the game's first penalty at 7:58…a hooking penalty on Joseph. The Kraken get 2 shots on the PP. We are still scoreless 10 minutes in. A tight checking start to the game.
After 20 minutes, we are all tied at zero, with the Kraken leading in shots 5 to 3 and scoring chances 20 to 9. The Blues are not able to generate much offensive zone time.
Kraken get on the board in period 2…
Jaden Schwartz bites his old team 3:44 into the period… Schwartz's initial shot on an odd-man break goes off Leddy back to Schwartz, who beats Binnington, who had moved to anticipate the first shot. 1 to 0 Kraken.
Kyrou guilty of tripping at 5:56 and the Kraken back on the powerplay. No shots on this PP.
The Blues get their first powerplay of the game, as the Kraken are called for holding the stick with 4:30 left in the period. The Blues have good pressure, but only two shots get through, and we stay at 1 to 0.
Shots at the end of 2 periods Blues 12 to 10 for the Kraken. Shot attempts are even at 30.
Five goals in the 3rd period…
Radek Faksa ties the game up 1:06 into the period as he banks one off the sprawled goalie, and it’s 1 to 1. Nathan Walker and Nick Leddy with the assists. Faksa’s first goal in 13 games.
The Kraken get the lead back with 13:11 left off a hot rebound a one timed shot 2 to 1 Kraken.
Less than a minute later…welcome back Colt55, who moves in alone and dekes out the goalie for his 16th…Robert Thomas (11-game point streak) and Kyrou get the assists.
In less than 13 seconds…Nick Leddy with a bomb shot from the blueline, and the Blues have the lead 3 to 2. Nathan Walker and Oskar Sundqvist assisting.
The Kraken come back again and tie it up at 3 with 10:07 left…a pass to the crease bounces off a Kraken player's skate…referees checking for a kicking motion…good goal… 3 to 3…the seesaw continues.
Shots 21 to 12 to the Blues advantage with 10 minutes left.
5 MINUTES!! The Kraken with the best scoring chances as the clock winds down…and we go to overtime…1 point secured for the Blues. Shots 22 to 15 as we end regulation.
OVERTIME!! Both teams with good scoring chances but we go to a shootout! Shots finish 23 to 17 Blues.
SHOOTOUT!!
Round 1 Kraken shoots first and scores 1...
Blues Neighbours shoots and scores…1 to 1
Round 2 Kraken…save by Binnington 1 to 1
Blues Thomas shoots off the post and in…2 to 1 Blues
Round 3 Kraken…shoots and scores…2 to 2
Blues Schenn hits the post…2 to 2
Round 4 Kraken…Binnington made a save 2 to 2
Blues Bolduc saved by Grubauer 2 to 2
Round 5 Kraken…save Binnington 2 to 2
Blues Buchnevich backhander saved by Grubauer 2 to 2
Round 6 Kraken…shoots wide 2 to 2
Blues Kyrou misses the net 2 to 2
Round 7 Kraken…scores 5 hole 3 to 2 Blues Snuggerud no goal...Kraken win!!
Notes: Blues with 46 goals by defensemen is 3rd in the league.