The St. Louis Blues, despite their recent win streak, only found themselves up in the playoff race by two points over Calgary entering their game with the Nashville Predators. It was an odd spot to be in, given that they were playing the backside of a back-to-back and facing the Predators the second time in days.
Things started a bit slow, with both teams feeling one another out. Each team only had two shots on goal near the midway point of the first; however, Nashville had some close calls, and they just missed passes in the attacking zone.
Nathan Walker tried to change the complexion of the game. He got physical and then into a fight, which at least put some energy into the crowd.
It didn't do a ton for the team. The Blues did have a two-on-one with about nine minutes left, but Dylan Holloway's shot was stopped and Alexey Toropchenko was tied up on the rebound chance.
However, the Blues did get on the board first. St. Louis came into the zone, Robert Thomas then dropped one to Jordan Kyrou on the left circle and he cut it back across the grain for his 30th and a 1-0 Blues lead.
St. Louis almost gave it right back as there was a mixup between Jordan Binnington got caught outside the post, Nashville went on a wraparound and Binner was on the wrong side of goal. Fortunately, the Predators couldn't get a shot off.
The Blues made it 2-0 with just over three minutes left. Early in the power play, they got the puck to Thomas on the right circle. His top-notch vision saw Alexandre Texier on the back side and found him with a pinpoint pass.
Things unraveled a bit right at the end of the first and into the second. There was a scuffle where Jonathan Marchessault and Toropchenko got into it and a few other players. They both got roughing calls, which made sense, but the Blues ended up shorthanded.
On the TV broadcast, they showed the overhead replay. What had been called a trip was simply the Nashville player falling down and the referee assuming it was a penalty.
Nashville scored early in the second period to make it 2-1. Philip Forsberg had a snipe from the right circle that was all but unstoppable.
The Predators had an odd-man rush shortly after that, but never got a shot away. The Blues were trying to get their feet under them, with only one shot in the first five minutes.
St. Louis really fell flat for the entire first half of the second period. They only managed one shot on goal from that early shot until there was about five minutes left.
Things kept going askew in the third. St. Louis scored about 20 seconds in, but the referee had blown the play dead assuming the Nashville goaltender had it covered. Nine times out of 10, that's fine, but given the phantom trip and the non-calls where the Blues were tripped, it just didn't sit right.
The Blues had more jump in the first five minutes of the third, but continued to lack chances with only two shots on. St. Louis had a great opportunity six minutes in, but Nathan Walker blew a tire on a partial breakaway and shot wide. That's how the game had gone to that point for the Blues, despite still holding a thin lead.
The Blues killed off another soft call, keeping that lead and then finally increased it with 9:30 to go. The Blues came in on a rush, found Justin Faulk open on the right wing and he buried it to make it 3-1.
The goal sparked the Blues. Even though Nashville had a couple quick chances on their next shifts, the Blues were hacking and whacking and keeping guys away from the net.
Things went totally crazy with around six minutes left. The refs initially called a trip on Robert Thomas. After the melee, they reversed the trip to the Nashville player but called a five minute major and game misconduct for a crosscheck by Zach Bolduc. Then, Ryan O'Reilly got called for a trip just 10 seconds later, putting the Blues on a power play.
The Blues didn't score on their power play and Nashville pulled the goaltender for their almost three minute power play. Binnington made a gigantic save just moments after the PK did it's job, sticking out his left leg to rob a sure goal.
Binnington made another big stop on the doorstep with about 43 seconds left. St. Louis then got the puck to center and Brayden Schenn iced it with the empty netter from just iside the blue line.
Pro: Thomas
He's had his ups and downs this season, but we saw bursts of why the Blues believe Thomas is and will be their top line center for the future. At his best, he just has some special ability.
The first assist of the game wasn't anything overly special. It was just a drop pass. However, it was his continued drive towards the net tha didn't allow the defender to hit the breaks and challenge the Kyrou shot.
The power play assist was just something special. The precision with which he found Texier on the back post was just amazing to watch.
Thomas has been on a steady points streak anyway, but we saw what Blues fans really want him to be in this game.
Con: Second period
I don't know if it was the phantom penalty in their head or the early goal from Nashville, but the Blues were just off the entire second period. It was not good hockey.
St. Louis had a flash here or there, but even on their rush plays, they missed the net. Finishing with three total shots was not good at all and none of those three really threatened.
Meanwhile, they weren't defending as well either. Nine shots against is acceptable, but there was just far too much zone time for the Predators.
I don't want to take credit away from Nashville, but the Blues just did not feel assertive at all.
Con: Officiating
All fans think their team is getting the shaft from the refs. 90%, or more, of the time it's just not the case and we're seeing things from a skewed lens.
However, in this game, they were just bad. When it's that noticeable, it has an actual impact on the game.
Broberg game into this contest with 10 total penalty minutes against him all season. Suddenly he takes three minors in one game?
The first one was a horrendous phantom call. The second was a high stick that could have either missed the guy or barely grazed him. Most refs will make that call, but it could have been a non-call easily.
The third might have been hooking by the letter of the law, but Broberg was being held by Forsberg just seconds prior to that. If you're going to make ticky-tac calls, call it on both teams. The officials seemed to have it in for Broberg and the Blues.
Overview:
There was a lot to dislike about this game, but you can't complain about the result. The Blues need wins and points and they got that.
However, for the second straight game, the Blues did not dominate a team that is all but eliminated from the playoff race. For the second straight game, the Blues won by a score of 4-1, but it was not that clear-cut of a win.
St. Louis was borderline bad in the second period and basically just held on for dear life. They had flashes here and there in the third, but even then it was a mixed bag.
I loved to see their push and determination. It's hard to fully judge how the Blues actually played since they had to be somewhat aggitated with the officiating.
We can all say you have to just play and let the refs make their calls, but these guys are human. When that many calls are going against you in an actual egregious way, it can affect your performance.
You can't ignore guys stepping up though. Binnington made the biggest saves of the game in the final two minutes, preserving a win.
Thomas had three gigantic assists. The captain iced the game, you get another 30-goal season from Kyrou and Faulk came up big too.
This team is clicking at the right time. There is still a lot of work to do, but teams at the top of the conference are probably not looking forward to a matchup with the Blues the way they are playing at this moment.
Things can easily flip back the other way, but the Blues are doing what they need to do. Fans can worry about scoreboard watching, but if St. Louis keeps winning, they're giving themselves the best chance they can at just the right time.