The St. Louis Blues knew exactly what was required of them in Game 6 against the Winnipeg Jets. Win and you extend the series, but a loss would end the season completely.
Although the goal was simple, the game rarely is. Nevertheless, the Blues came to play as they were fired up by their home crowd, and out of the blue, fan John Gruden.
The Jets had a huge chance just a couple of shifts into the game, but Jordan Binnington made an even bigger kick save with the left pad to keep the game scoreless. Then, St. Louis got to work as they had 12 chances at goal and eight shots that got through.
Despite their efforts, the Blues would only get one goal past Connor Hellebuyck in the first. Philip Broberg somewhat fanned on a slap shot attempt about six minutes in, but some disruption in front allowed the puck to get through. There were questions about potential goaltender interference, and the Jets even called a timeout to get a better look, but decided not to challenge.
The Blues kept pushing and almost doubled the lead. However, Hellebuyck made a diving stick save on a backdoor play, and things would eventually end 1-0.
It appeared as though the Jets had tied the game in the first minute of the second period after a bad giveaway. However, it was an easy review for the officials after a Blues challenge as the Jets had a guy a good foot offside.
The Jets would tie the game nearly six minutes in, though. The refs gifted the Jets a power play when Nathan Walker was called for a slash when he barely poked the guy in the stomach. It easily could have been both going off with an embellishment call.
The Jets took advantage quickly though as Cole Perfetti was able to swat one out of midair after a scramble to make it 1-1. It was a shame since Binnington had made another gigantic save moments earlier and also stopped the initial chance from Perfetti before he got the bunt play for the goal.
It felt like the Jets were coming on and taking hold. If not for Binnington, Winnipeg could easily have the lead, but those saves loomed large.
Nathan Walker continued his hot play, scoring on a rebound to make it 2-1 at 11:34. The Blues then just went off, scoring three more goals in about five minutes.
Binnington kept the puck alive on a dump-in and sprang a transition. Brayden Schenn used the defender as a screen and beat Hellebuyck to the glove side to make it 3-1.
More screens in front allowed a Cam Fowler high shot to get through and make it 4-1. With just over three minutes left in the second, it was 4-1.
The Blues took advantage of a turnover up the right wall. They found Alexey Toropchenko in the middle, and he beat Hellebuyck to the blocker side, basically destroying any leftover confidence the goalie had.
St. Louis carried a 5-1 lead into the intermission. Hellebuyck would not start the third period.
Binnington continued to be sharp to open the third period. He denied Kyle Connor on the doorstep with another flash from the left pad.
Things got very chippy as the third period went on, as you'd expect. The refs made an odd decision to call an unsportsmanlike penalty on Schenn, and the Jets scored near the end of the power play to make it 5-2.
The Jets pulled the goaltender with over four minutes left, but they had nothing to lose. Robert Thomas took a high-sticking call, and Binnington made a big glove save on a point shot 27 seconds into the power play.
Binnington made another big save on a cross-ice play, making the right pad save this time. The Jets had a decent push at the end, but the Blues would not surrender another goal. They won 5-2, forcing a deciding Game 7 on Sunday.
Con: Power play
The Blues' power play continues to be puzzling during this first-round series. It hasn't looked that bad, but it has not done the job often enough.
There have been goals, but not enough and often not timely enough. In this game, they didn't take advantage.
The Blues did get a goal shortly after one of the power plays, when Toropchenko scored. But, they went 0-7.
It has to be pointed out that the Blues didn't have seven full power plays, but the bottom line is they didn't make the Jets pay for being undisciplined. You'd like them to score at least one, if not two, to emphasize that the Jets can't go in the box or take cheap shots.
Pro: Fourth line
For the second game in a row, the fourth line was the Blues most consistent line. This time around, it ended up being in a winning effort.
Walker continues to be a thorn in the side of Winnipeg, but is also getting involved in the scoring. When you can get goal contributions from your bottom three, how should a team contend with that?
Toropchenko's goal probably had no business going in, but you put the puck on net and see how it turns out. It turned out to be a goal there.
Faksa picked up an assist and the line had a total of five hits. It was a great all around performance.
Pro: Binnington
I won't say the Blues relied on their goaltender in a negative sense. They did a good job, especially in the first period, only allowing two shots against.
However, the Blues needed their goaltender to make some huge saves in this game. Binnington probably made at least five, if not more, gigantic pad saves alone, on top of a couple of glove and blocker saves.
23 shots against isn't a ton, but the Jets had their looks. They had the puck on the stick of players they wanted, such as Connor on the doorstep, but Binnington stopped everything he was supposed to and quite a few he wasn't expected to
Pro: Fowler
Cam Fowler is one of those players who has increasingly looked like an unbelievable steal. We knew the Blues got him for nothing, but he has been beyond invaluable, especially during this playoff run.
He has set a team record with 10 points in one playoff series, and there's still one game to go. He makes all the smart plays even beyond his goal in this game.
When he nearly turned the puck over in his zone, he kept battling and just won it back. The tenacity is something that has rubbed off on his teammates.
You can tell he's found another level, finally having something to play for beyond pride in Anaheim.
Overview:
For a game that was 5-2, it was interesting. It was closer than that, in a sense, but also not that close.
Binnington essentially won the game with those saves in the second period when the Jets were about to assert control. That allowed the offense to get on its toes and let the Blues take control instead.
The difference between the home Blues and road Blues is astounding. If St. Louis could play every game at home, they would be a legitimate Stanley Cup threat and maybe even a possible favorite.
They simply dominate. They have chased Hellebuyck from the net in all three games in St. Louis.
The offense finds ways to get net-front pressure, pucks on target and timely goals. The defense plays much better positionally and reactively, clearing pucks away and keeping the front of the net much cleaner, at least from a playoff perspective.
Binnington has been solid in both rinks, but he's on a different level in St. Louis now. It's impressive to see.
Unfortunately, it also points out the difference the building has made. The Jets are also a far better team at home, but the Blues now have to find a way to get St. Louis-style Blues on the road.
When everyone plays so much better at home, it's not just the matchups or final changes that matter. St. Louis has to find that comfort in Winnipeg.
Hellebuyck may have won all his home games, but he hasn't looked much better. The Blues simply have not found ways to put on the same kind of pressure.
The Blues need to get on him early in Game 7. Between getting yanked again and the inevitable Canadian media frenzy, Hellebuyck will hear all the chatter.
We all knew the Blues would have to steal one on the road to win the series, and it comes down to a do-or-die for both teams. This is what playoff hockey is about.