After going down 0-2 in the first two games of the first round against the Winnipeg Jets, the St. Louis Blues' performance so far has had many lowlights. Some have shown nothing of substance, and some have risen to the occasion.
One player in particular, a rising star as you will, has settled into this playoff atmosphere very well. Funny enough, this is his first go-around in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
That player is…
Jimmy Snuggerud
Jimmy Snuggerud has been a great addition to the Blues this season. He helped his team make it into the playoffs in his first few games as an NHLer. Not a bad way to start your career.
Now, after two games of intense and hard-nosed hockey, he has shown great strides in a short amount of time. His big highlight came during game two, on the power play, to give the Blues their only goal in a losing effort. This is his first goal in the playoffs of his young career.
Coaches praise
One of the bigger stories from before the Blues' 2-1 game two loss to the Jets was the praise that Snuggerud got from head coach Jim Montgomery.
“Snuggerud as a player, ever since he got here, since his first practice, his first game and as he gets more accustomed, he just gets better and better," Montgomery said.
Then, the 20-year-old takes that praise and gives them a game-tying goal in the waning seconds of the first period. That is how you make a first impression.
Over the next two, and hopefully more, games, Snugggerud will be heavily relied on. His promotion to the first round was a successful move in game two, and expect that to continue throughout games three and into game four.