GameRecap 2-8-11: Blues Tame Panthers 2-1

Two teams entered the BankAtlantic Center and only one came out with a pair of points. A little good fortune from the hockey gods shown down on the St. Louis Blues far away from home. A few “missed” calls and timely goals on uncommon Florida Panther mistakes lead the way to a 2-1 victory for the Note.

Spearheading the effort was Jaroslav Halak. In his first appearance since January 24th he stopped 30 of 31 Panther shots. Many in spectacular Halakness (or Halak-Net) Monster fashion. Though it didn’t hurt that the Cats put few shots above the leg pads. The two memorable times they did, Halak was beat. Once on Dennis Wideman’s 5 on 3 tally (his 8th) in the first period and on David Booth’s breakaway off the post. In all other cases Halak was on point and at the top of his crease.

Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun in net 200 feet away was equally spectacular. Though the Blues put shots everywhere and from every angle, Vokoun had the answer. Only when he was left out to dry by impressive displays of offensive skill by Blues forward following absent minded turnovers from the Panthers did he break. He stopped 26 of 28 shots.

The first 20 minutes of play were back and forth with the Blues not playing totally up to standard. In the final 40 they did come around. Matching the will of the Panthers to take the hit to make the play in their own end.

Credit Florida for taking away virtually all time and space in their own end. Forcing the Blues to capitalize off the rush. Both goals, by David Backes (18th) and Matt D’Agostini (12th), came on the rush.

While the contest was decided by a pair of even strength goals, special teams play is the real story of the game. The Blues went down early thanks to a rare Panthers PPG. Their 29th rated unit has improved with four conversions in February, they have just those four going back to January 19th. Their inability to score on five man advantages of their own kept the game closer than it should have been. Credit again goes to the Panthers 7th rated penalty kill, but the Blues power play still needs to improve.

Quick Hits

- Alex Pietrangelo was solid once again. Leading the Blues with 20:55 TOI and his defensive stop at the blueline created the opportunity for Andy McDonald’s quick counter attack which created the Backes goal.

- Nikita Nikitin continues to shine in his most recent call up. Logging his second highest TOI this season, 18:26, he was solid and simple in all three zones. Using his large frame to make physical defensive plays and quickly getting hard shots on net from the point. Dar Blues fans say he is taking a step similar to Petro’s from back in October?

- Booth and Mark Santorelli were impressive for the Panthers. Playing at a high speed and creating opportunity. Didn’t see much from Steve Weiss other than a few turnovers.

- Small miracle the Blues won the game while only winning 19 of 47 draws. An abysmal 40.4%.

- 40 Hits from the Blues seems a little gracious, but the game did have a good touch of physicality to it. Bryan Allen got in to Alex Steen’s face more than once and his bough with BJ Crombeen at the end of the 1st was a nice touch.

- Has Roman Polak has a wall? It seems like he has since returning from injury. Just a feeling, but his play hasn’t been as noticeable lately. His delay of game penalty set up the 5 on 3 Wideman scored on.

Next Up

A Friday / Saturday double header with the Minnesota Wild. Both games are on FSMW. Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 8pm. Saturday’s game is part of the Hockey Day In Minnesota festivities.