St. Louis Blues vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: subplot...Bannister vs. Berube

The unwelcome news of Robert Thomas going on the IR with a fractured ankle (reevaluated in six weeks) means an all-out team effort will be needed. Oskar Sundqvist comes off the IR and gets inserted into the lineup for his season debut. Sunny will initially play on the fourth line centered by Radek Faksa. As we have seen, Coach Bannister likes to shuffle his lines throughout the game.

To start the game Schenn, Buchnevich, Faksa and Holloway (he's a natural center) center the four lines. Scott Perunovich also made his season debut replacing Kessel alongside Pierre-Olivier Joseph on defense. Alexey Toropchenko returned to the line-up…love Torpo’s energy and hard nose play.

Jordan Binnington (back in his home town) is in net, while St. Louisan Joseph Woll made his season debut against the Blues after recovering from the proverbial lower-body injury. Binnington playing with a heavy heart as his grandfather passed away on Monday…

The offer sheet guys strike again…

Philip Broberg opens the scoring at 15.51 after some fancy foot work by Jordan Kyrou to dazzle the Leafs defenders into leaving a lane open for Broberg’s second goal of the year. A screen in front by Buchnevich blocked Woll’s sight line.

Power play at 10:59 and a strong play against the boards by Sundqvist and Alexendre Texier pops the puck to Brandon Saad who finds Holloway all alone in front of the net and he tucks one under Woll for his second of the year. First power play goal in nine games.

Gotta stay out of the penalty box…

Binnington comes up big on the first shorthanded situation and stops several point-blank chances by the Leafs. Another short handed opportunity shows off excellent puck possession by the Leafs but the Blues and Binnington stand tall and kill it off.

Sundqvist showing his value and making his presence felt on both the offense and defensive sides of the game early…throwing his body around with authority. Blues score twice for the first time in the first period and lead 2-0. Binnington stopping all 10 shots against.

Here come the Leafs...

Toronto makes a strong push to begin the second period but the Blues withstand the first five minutes and have the advantage in shots on goal. At 13:40 the Leafs get a deflected goal on a shot from the point that goes off the Blues defenseman to make it 2 to1. Binnington thought it was a high-stick however it was off Pierre-Olivier Joseph’s body.

The Blues come back quickly with some nice board work in the Leafs end by Buchnevich and chaos by Kyrou’s forecheck feeds Texier for his first goal as a Blue as he snaps a wrister past Woll on their 13th shot…3 to 1.

Just over three minutes left in the second and Toronto goes back on the power play…no problem for the Blues and Binnington making several big saves staying quiet in the crease and pucks are sticking to him like velcro.

Blues lead after the second period 3 to 1 while the Leafs have the edge in shots 27 to 18. Needless to say Binnington the difference so far.

Third period…time to hold them…And expand the lead

Like a good…Neighbour’s makes a block in the defense zone and he breaks out with Schenn and gets the puck back to fire it top shelf for his third of the year and a 4-1 Blues lead. The Blues fourth odd man break of the game. Jake’s third goal in four games.

Blues penalty kill with just inside 8 minutes left…a challenging Binnington and an aggressive and strong play by a disciplined wall of four players hold off a pressing Leafs powerplay.

FIVE MINUTES LEFT IN REGULATION!

Berube pulls the goalie with four-plus minutes left…Holloway scores his second of the night with an empty net goal. 5 to 1 and Holloway’s first two goal game of his Blues career.

Binnington with his 14th career game with 40+ saves and the Blues end the game on the power play and win it 5 to 1. Out shot 42-27 but victorious where it counts.

Observations

* Broberg the Blues best player so far this year…physical, playing in all situations…and being a difference maker.
* Parakyo playing his best game of the season moving well from defense to offense leading several rushes. Blocking seven shots. Is Suter the difference in Colt55’s game?
* Was Toronto native Kyrou showing his old coach what he’s capable of?
* Auston Matthews and William Nylander lead the Leafs combining for eight goals and 12 points through seven games. Held in check by a smothering Blues defense.
* Blues speed is a difference maker so far this year.
* Bannister all smiles while Berube grumbles.