The St. Louis Blues continue to be a team that is incredibly hard to read during the 2024-25 season. One game after having a clunker performance against the Columbus Blue Jackets again, the Blues end up taking down the Calgary Flames.
While it should be noted that the Jackets now have a five-game win streak, it's still disappointing how poorly the Blues have done against them the last few years. Nevertheless, they did enough against their next opponent.
St. Louis came out like a house on fire. They were buzzing in the first minute of play and got rewarded with a goal.
Colton Parayko got the Blues on the board just 49 seconds into the contest. The big defenseman got the rebound on the right circle and wristed one into the upper 90 of the opposite side to make it 1-0.
St. Louis continued to create chances and solid flow in the offensive zone for the next handful of minutes. It seemed like they were destined to get another one, similar to how they had a few games prior against Anaheim.
Unfortunately, the hot start cooled off and the Flames got themselves back into the game. Although neither team would score and the shots ended up even, it felt like a slight missed opportunity for St. Louis through the rest of the first period.
The Blues first-period power play was decent but just didn't show much danger. Although it didn't show up in this game, special teams continue to be a bit of a thorn on this roster.
Despite some feistiness and a slight playoff atmosphere, the game remained 1-0 into the third period. Then, Calgary tied the game about six minutes into the frame.
It was a fireball wrist shot that beat Jordan Binnington to the blocker side. It was a solid goal but dampened by the fact the Blues didn't shift across the zone, nor close down the defender quickly enough to present any resistance before it was 1-1.
Luckily, the Blues didn't get down on themselves or the game. They restored their lead by granting fans' wish at 11:11 of the period when Radek Faksa scored on a fantastic deflection from the side of the slot. Tyler Tucker got the assist by unleashing a powerful slapshot before the fourth-line center got the tip to make it 2-1.
The Blues were unable to score on the empty net, but they played well enough in front of Binnington and cleared enough pucks to earn a 2-1 win.
Pro: Binnington
I've been more critical of both Binnington and Joel Hofer lately but with reason. In this game, Binnington deserves some praise.
It never felt like the Flames were on the cusp of having a huge offensive night. St. Louis did a pretty good job defensively, blocking 18 shots.
Binnington was not called on to make any 10-bell saves either. However, he stopped 26 of 27 and made some quality saves in the process.
One or two were a little nervy. He had a glove save go off the tip of the webbing instead of making the catch, but as long as they don't go in, it still counts.
Binnington was more of a calming presence in this game as opposed to a dominant force. His ability to stop the puck behind the net, or even generate outlet passes was a huge asset.
Con: A little lackluster
Perhaps it came off a little different on TV, but in the grand scheme, this game was a little boring in person. Not every game is going to have you on the edge of your seat the entire time, especially a mid-season contest in January.
However, despite a relatively normal amount of shots by both teams, it just lacked a lot of danger on either side. Frankly, both teams' best looks at goal, outside of the actual goals, were missed shots.
Some of those went wide and didn't count. Others never even got on the stick of the intended target as the pass was just a bit off or a defensive stick came in at the last moment.
These sorts of things happen in close games and playoff games, but at times it felt like a game that was as tight as a playoff game without any of the nerves or excitement.
Pro: Earning the win
You can think it was a great game. I can hint that it was slightly boring.
It doesn't matter. What does matter is the Blues got the W.
It's all well and good to play pretty hockey and do the big things that will ignite the crowd. However, not every game will be the main event on the card so to speak.
Both goalies had some good saves and there was a good flow to the contest. Despite what the announcers said about playoff quality, it didn't have that same bite.
It doesn't matter though. The Blues won, they knocked off a team they were directly competing with for a playoff spot and they were good at goaltending, defense, and offense all at once.
Overview:
The weird thing about this game is that the next one is now more important in an odd way. That statement is often true, but more so now.
In a quirk of the schedule, the Blues play one another twice in two games with both games coming at Enterprise Center. So, you want the win in this game and the Blues got it.
You have a four-point swing in your favor by not only claiming the two points for yourself but also denying the team directly above you any points. Yet, the Blues have to put that behind them immediately, or else it's all for naught if Calgary wins the next one.
No game is an absolute must-win, but lose the next game and it's basically like neither of these games happened except that they cost you games remaining on your schedule. Win both and suddenly you're truly back in the playoff picture by having more wins than the team in the final wild-card spot.
To the Blues credit, you have to win the first one to even have that mentality going into the second. It was a good team game,
Honestly, the power play is still worrying. They've made some improvements, but they're still not threatening. The puck possession is much better, but the actual chances on goal are not frequent or plentiful enough.
The Blues played fine five-on-five and their penalty kill was pretty respectable. A downside is that the third line was ineffective at best and earned little, if any, playing time in the third period.
The team stuck with it and won the game though and that's important. Now, they had better put that behind them quickly and come out twice as sharp the next one.