When the St. Louis Blues went on this road trip, we knew they needed a big trip to keep their playoff hopes alive. While it ended on a sour note, it went about as good as it could.
It almost opened up about as good as it could against the Los Angeles Kings. St. Louis looked like they took the lead just 35 seconds into the game.
Unfortunately, there was no white between the puck and the goal line. St. Louis did get a power play, but they'd much rather have the goal given how the game went.
Despite the first period being a defensive battle for both teams, the Blues were doing a pretty good job overall. However, they surrendered the first goal of the game on just the second shot against them.
The Kings had an early shot in the period and not again until 14:35 had elapsed. A long shot from the point was deflected by Anze Kopitar. It completely changed directions, giving Joel Hofer no chance.
What added insult to injury was the Blues only allowed two shots against in the period. They still managed to be down 1-0.
The second period was not nearly as productive for the Blues. They continued to defend well, only allowing nine shots this time around, but only getting four of their own.
The third period was a mixed bag. On the one hand, the Blues offense had a little more spark and they got nine shots on goal.
However, they allowed 11 and had to defend for their lives for several shifts. It was great to see guys like Mathieu Joseph selling out and blocking shots, but they relied a little too much on Hofer.
Nevertheless, they got the goal they needed. A little over four minutes in, Nick Leddy unleashed a shot from the point. Zach Bolduc provided a perfect screen in front and Leddy got the goal when Darcy Kuemper had no clue the shot was even coming.
Towards the end, it felt like the Blues were hanging on, but they accomplished what they needed. They forced overtime, gaining at least a point.
It wouldn't take long before we found out that was all they would get. The Kings scored just 27 seconds into OT when Quinton Byfield roofed a shot over Hofer's shoulder for the 2-1 win.
Pro: More playoff hockey
If the Blues can sneak into the playoffs, they're going to be a dangerous team. They're already doing all the little things you need to do to be successful in the playoffs.
I mentioned the Joseph block where he took it right off the foot. St. Louis had 23 statistical blocks, so who knows how many other shots they disrupted.
They were technically outhit but still awarded 35 statistical hits. Just the fact they still had that kind of physicality left after a long trip is impressive, especially after playing the Kings twice in three games.
They kept their turnovers relatively low while the Kings coughed it up 23 times. The Blues didn't get the end result, but it wasn't for lack of effort in the small things. Those small things keep you in games.
Con: That non-goal stung
I think we can all agree that by the letter of the law, that wasn't a goal for the Blues in the first minute. We just couldn't find a replay where there was any white between the puck and the goal line.
Man, it would have been a completely different game if that had gone in though. I can't say the Blues won in regulation, but given how well they defended, just imagine having played the majority of the game with the lead instead of looking for a tying goal.
Pro: Defense
There were cracks and a few mistakes, but the defense played quite well. They limited the number of high-danger chances against Hofer and kept the Kings at bay for long stretches.
When you consider the Blues did not have Colton Parayko or Cam Fowler, it's even more impressive what they did.
Overview:
Dropping the last game of a road trip is always a sour taste. It just robs you of all the joy built up.
What stings is if anyone told you the Blues would get five of six points on this California trip, they would take it in a heartbeat. However, when that sixth point was right there for the taking, it still hurt.
However, we have to look larger picture. It's not like the Blues have been just stealing points like thieves in the night.
They've earned and deserved what they got and perhaps more. Just think about it.
The Blues were actually the better team against the Dallas Stars. If not for the Stars power play, the Blues probably would have won that game since they dominated five-on-five.
The first game after the 4 Nations break was a shootout loss to Winnipeg. The Blues should have won that game in regulation.
Just a minor tweak here or a slightly different path there, the Blues could actually be talking about a 10-game win streak going back to that Chicago game. As it stands, they have points in nine of 10 and wins in seven of those 10.
It just goes to show how pivotal some of those misses early in the season are now. The Blues have had to go on this kind of run and still find themselves a point out of a playoff spot.
Just a couple different results and the Blues could honestly be two or three points up in the standings. You can't dwell on that as a player, but we definitely can as fans.
Now the Blues have an odd break where they're off until Thursday, March 13. Hopefully, that break only gives them some rest and not any rust.
Everyone is probably banged up, but you worry they lose that edge built up from playing every other day like you do in the playoffs.
As far as this Kings game went, you take the point. It would have been nice to win, but Hofer looked shaky in the first period and great at the end, so you can't automatically say it turned out differently if that early goal counted.
Take the point, take the rest and take down Pittsburgh later in the week.