Blues Rout Isles 5-1
Game #57 St. Louis vs. New York Islanders | February 16, 2012
A road loss to the league’s worst team was hard on the St. Louis Blues, but back on home ice they faced another Eastern Conference team in the New York Islanders. Two bright spots of the Blues season has been dominance at home and dominance against the Eastern Conference. That trend would not change as the Blues dominated the Islanders win a 5-1 thrashing.
Fifty nine seconds in New York took the lead. An initial shot by Michael Grabner was blocked by Kevin Shattenkirk. The puck bounced right to Franz Nielsen who lifted it over Brian Elliott’s shoulder.
Jason Arnott scored the tying goal in his first game back after his shoulder injury. Moving behind and around the net, Vladimir Sobotka sent a pass into the middle. The puck bounced off Al Montoya’s pad and dropped in front. Failing to cover the puck, Montoya watched Arnott snap it over the top of him.
Minutes later on the power play Alex Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk manned the points. Determined work by TJ Oshie set up a quick dish from Pietrangelo to his blue line partner. Shattenkirk’s one timer blew by Montoya who was being screened by David Backes.
Just into second period a huge save by Elliott sparked a rush toward the opposite end. Andy McDonald streaked up the boards and crossed a pass to Jamie Langenbrunner. The pass off the pad worked to perfection as McDonald found the rebound and an easy goal for his first of the year.
Another power play goal gave the Blues a three goal lead. Some fancy pass work between Oshie, Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk set up another blast from the point. This time the puck fired off the stick of Pietrangelo which was tipped into the net by the screening David Perron.
While most goalies may be pulled at this point. Montoya remained in the game. While the start was scheduled from Nikolai Khabibulin, the flu made him a last minute scratch leaving Montoya on his own.
The Blues continued to pour it on with a goal from Oshie still in the second. Since it worked before, Pietrangelo sent another point shot in. This time it was deflected by Oshie for his fifteenth of the season.
With three point nights from both Oshie and Pietrangelo, St. Louis found their scoring touch. Although they did not score in the third, the Blues kept the pressure on for a stress free finish.
Up Next: A Saturday matinee game against the Wild.
