GameRecap: Blues Zapped in OT by Lightning 4-3

The Blues came to Tampa looking for two points and came out with one. Is that a fair compromise or a failure to execute? In a contest out side the Division and the Conference, we should all be willing to compromise.

As forwarned in the preview, the Note should be weary of starting a barn burner with the Bolts. A team that boasts the leagues top (healthy) goal scorer is not one you want to get caught in a goal scoring race. In true superstar form Steven Stamkos wouldn’t be denied from lack of effort on the defense’s part. The bulldog he is steamrolled and attacked at every opportunity. His 40th of the year opened the scoring and he set up each of the other three Bolts goals. Scored by Dominic Moore, Steve Downie and Vinny Lecavalier.

The Blues have purebreds of their own which to counter. TJ Oshie and Alex Steen had another strong outing on Patrik Berglund’s wing. They combined to score the Blues first goal and pushed the pace north through all three periods. David Backes may have earned a Minus-1, but his power play goal to counter the Moore goal was a key point in the second period. The momentum gained lead to Nikitia Niktin’s first NHL goal. Yes, for real this time, no deflection. Just a quick hard shot, low through traffic past Dan Ellis.

The momentum didn’t hold long to the Blues favor. Downie’s goal game 30 seconds after Nikitin’s.

Ty Conklin may have given up the game winner in OT, but his play was far from substandard. In most cases the defense was left flat footed on the wrong side of the puck when the Tampa forwards collapsed on Conks. One could argue that the Lecavalier goal was “soft”, but the puck went in the only possible place it could have. A tiny space in a closing 5-hole. Considering the difficulty level, the Blues did a good job of preventing scoring chances on the extra frame power play.

The game ended as it’s hour plus long life span was defined, by special teams play. The Blues killed off their 5 on 3 disadvantage and capitalized on their own 2 man advantage. Overall the Blues killed 4 of 5 chances and Tampa 3 of 4. The long 4 on 3 was the difference.

Quick Hits

- Alex Pietrangelo had a solid game with an unusual stat line. No shots on goal, one block and two hits in a team leading 24:52 TOI. Over seven minutes came from special teams play.

- Vladimir Sobotka and Brewer were really the only Blues throwing their weight around. Sobotka had an ongoing battle with Pavel Kubina and Brewer got a hold of Stamkos pretty well. They lead the Blues with 5 Hits each. Combining to register more than half the Blues total. They were out hit 29 to 19. The lack of overt physicality is not a positive sign.

- The Sobotka, Jay McClement and Matt D’Agostini line was a speedy and effective third unit. Fair to say this was McClement’s best game of the season? It was at least his best since his early season hat trick. He ended up with an assist, 3 shots, 2 blocks, a Plus-1 in 21:00 played. Finally some improvement on the draw as well, winning 10 of 17. Two critical defensive wins stand out.

- Overall the Blues won 33 of 58 face-offs, 57%. Backes deserves some credit there as well. Winning 10 of 16. Stamkos was the only Lightning over 50% on the draw (8 for 15).

- For as “HOT” as Teddy Purcell was coming in to this game, he was equally cool. A rather quiet 4 shots and 4 misses.

- Marc-Andre Bergeron was pretty good in his first game of the season. As long as you look at the game relative to his strengths. He registered a pair of assists and 3 shots, but also had three giveaways.

- Ellis was solid overall. Coming out to challenge and making timely saves. When the Blues avoided his glove, they scored. Coincidence? Not likely.

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