St. Louis Blues 22-23

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#51      
pruman91
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Quick hits: Struggling Blues drop fifth game in a row, this time 5-1 to Kings

The Blues gave up four goals in the second period and got booed off the ice as their losing streak rose to five games
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Tom Timmermann

Monday night was not a step in the right direction for the Blues.
Looking to snap out of the first four-game losing streak of the Craig Berube Era, the Blues went backward, and emphatically so, with a 5-1 loss on Monday night to the Los Angeles Kings at Enterprise Center. It’s the first time the Blues have lost five in a row in regulation since February of 2018.
Unlike previous games, the Blues didn’t wait till the third period to collapse. This time they did it in the second period, when they allowed four goals in six minutes, 15 seconds, to go from being down 1-0 to trailing 5-0 and bringing an early end to goalie Jordan Binnington’s evening — though it was some lax defending from the Blues that mostly was responsible. The Kings’ first three goals all came on backdoor plays.

The Blues was booed off the ice after the second period. Not many people still were on hand at the end of the game.
The Blues’ goal came from fourth-line forward Alexey Toropchenko, 43 seconds after Binnington left in favor of Thomas Greiss.
The Blues now have two days off until they face the New York Islanders on Thursday, looking to avoid a six-game losing streak for the first time since 2014.
The offense had some chances in the third period, but by then it didn't matter much. The Blues remain hesitant to do one of the essentials of the game, namely shooting, as evidenced by the team failing to get a shot off on a three-on-0 break in the second period.
 
#52      
pruman91
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Reality check: Blues GM Doug Armstrong meets with players to discuss team slump

Among his talking points, GM Doug Armstrong tells the players that coach Craig Berube is going nowhere.
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Jim Thomas

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong met with the team Tuesday morning and then he met with the media.
He told the team he still believes in them, but pointed out that they are in the bottom quartile “of anything that matters right now” in the NHL. Goals for, goals against, etc., but most importantly a 3-5-0 record that currently ranks 27th in the league in winning percentage (.375).
Armstrong told the media he sees a team that lacks a competitive edge, a strange thing to say about just about any Blues team over the past decade.
He sees a team that gets “easily frustrated” to extreme levels, and that the opposition feeds off the resulting bad body language.
“We have a group of guys that believe: ‘I can’t believe this is happening to me,’” Armstrong said. “And a group of guys that believe that they’re not part of the problem. When in reality, we’re all part of the problem, starting with me.”

But he told the team — and later, the media — that a coaching change won’t be part of the way out.
“I told the players the coach is not going anywhere,” Armstrong said, referring to Craig Berube. “Because the coach came from the American Hockey League, where he coached young players and made them better. And he coached veteran players and made them win here. So he can do both.
“He’s going to be here. I don’t say that as a threat or anything like that. I believe in the coach. I believe in the system. This isn’t a system issue; it’s a competitive issue.”


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Blues are missing David Perron more than they thought they would.........................

5 on 5 scoring is down
power plays goal's are down
penalty kill % is down

It could be a long year unless someone on the team steps up and takes the lead ......ROR is a good captain , but the Blues need somebody like Kyrou or Thomas to go ballistic and carry the team for an extended period...................JMHO
 
#53      
pruman91
Blues lead the Islanders 1-0 after 1...................

Evidently the GM's meeting with the team has caused some increased "" compete "" from the team , as this first period showed more compete that the last 2 games combined............A 5 game losing streak is an indicator of where the teams "" heads "" are at and the last 2 days were reportedly filled with intense practices and resulted in some changes in line formations......

Tarasenko with the goal and there were no more back door goals given up by the Blues D.........let's hope they build on this good 1st period and finally end this concerning losing streak..........JMHO...
 
#54      
pruman91
Islander's score 14 seconds into the second period to tie the game at 1-1 and then score a power play goal 4 minutes later to lead the Blues 2-1 with 13 + minutes left in period # 2...........

The compete showed by the Blues in the first period has evaporated like a fart in a whirlwind and they look completely lost as they have in the last five games......

Now the Islanders just scored again for a 3-1 lead.........12: 55 to go 2nd period ....................oh my ..................................

4-1 Islanders now with 9:55 to go in 2nd ........................time to watch the WS.......Gonna be a longgggggggggggggggggggggg season Blues fans......JMHO
 
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#55      
pruman91
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Quick Hits: More misery for Blues, who drop their sixth straight

They allow four goals in the second period of a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders.
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Jim Thomas

If a blunt “heart-to-heart” meeting with the general manager can’t get the Blues’ going, what will?
Team GM Doug Armstrong gave the Blues a “reality check” talk prior to Tuesday’s practice. But it didn’t seem to have much impact on the Blues, who made some costly and familiar mistakes in a 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday at Enterprise Center.
The Blues have now lost six in a row, and that matches their longest losing streak in nine years, when the 2013-14 Blues lost their final six games of an otherwise highly successful season — in which they finished with 111 points.
The Blues in no way, shape or form appear to be on that path. They appear closer to having the season fall off the rails, even though we’re just nine games into what is now a 3-6-0 campaign. The Islanders, winning their fifth straight, improved to 7-4-0.
St. Louis must now go on the road for five of their next six contests, starting with a game Monday against the Boston Bruins. Right now, they just look like a bad team.

Goals in bunches​

Thursday marked the fourth consecutive game that the Blues have allowed at least three goals in one period. They allowed three third-period goals in a 6-2 loss to Nashville on Oct. 27. Two days later, they doubled up — allowing three goals in the second period and three more in the third period in a 7-4 loss to Montreal.
 
#57      
pruman91
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Quick hits: Blues end the losing streak with 5-3 win over San Jose

Defenseman Calle Rosen scores the game winner in the third period as Blues snap eight-game loss streak.
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Jim Thomas

For one night at least, the agony is over for the Blues. Yep, they finally won a game — it’s true — defeating the San Jose Sharks by a score of 5-3 Thursday night before a sellout crowd of 18,906 at Enterprise Center.
It had been eight in a row on the wrong side of the scoreboard for St. Louis, a franchise record set Tuesday in Philadelphia. But no more. This was a back-and-forth affair — with the Blues leading 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, and 4-3. But they just couldn’t get any more space between themselves and the Sharks, who they have now beaten six games in a row.
Until, that is, Noel Acciari scored an empty-net goal with 18.2 seconds left. So the Blues are now 4-8-0 for the season. San Jose has lost five in a row — three of which were decided in overtime — falling to 3-9-3.

Defenseman Calle Rosen, playing only because Robert Bortuzzo was placed on injured reserve earlier in the day because of an upper-body injury, scored the game-winner from distance 8:20 into the third period. It was only the fourth goal for Rosen in 42 NHL games.
Living on the fringe of the roster in St. Louis, Rosen began the season living in an extended stay hotel with the family, but has since upgraded to an Airbnb. He probably slept well Thursday night.
 
#58      
pruman91
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Blues notebook: Prospect Nikita Alexandrov, a 'smart hockey player,' makes his NHL debut

The Blues’ second-round draft choice in 2019, the 6-foot-1, 177-pound Nikita Alexandrov nearly made the roster after a strong showing in the preseason.
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Joe Lyons

St. Louis Blues prospect Nikita Alexandrov was preparing for an American Hockey League game in Hartford, Connecticut, on Wednesday night when he got the news he’s been waiting for.
Alexandrov, 22, made his NHL debut Thursday night when the Blues squared off against the San Jose Sharks at Enterprise Center.
“As a kid, you dream of playing in the NHL and to finally get that chance, it feels unreal,” Alexandrov said after Thursday’s morning skate. “I had a good (training) camp and felt good about the way I played in the preseason. Going down to the AHL, I was playing with a lot of confidence and that helped me improve my game a lot.”
The Blues’ second-round draft choice in 2019, the 6-foot-1, 177-pound Alexandrov nearly made the roster after a strong showing in the preseason. In nine games this season with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds, he had four goals and four assists for eight points. A year ago, he had 12 goals and 18 assists in 67 regular-season games with Springfield and followed up with two goals and six assists in 18 playoff games.

“He came into camp and showed us a lot,” Blues coach Craig Berube said. “He’s got real good detail (in his game). He can play center or wing and he’s a competitive guy who plays a heavy game. ... He’s physical, he gets involved and he has pretty good puck skills.
“The thing for me is he’s a smart hockey player.”
Because of the short turnaround, Alexandrov said his family will not be able to make it to St. Louis for his NHL debut. “But they’ll be able to watch on TV,” he said.
Alexandrov is hoping to contribute right away.
 
#59      
pruman91
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Quick Hits: Blues hang on, end Vegas' nine-game winning streak

O'Reilly scores the game winner in 3-2 Blues win.
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Jim Thomas
LAS VEGAS – Two days after avoiding a nine-game losing streak, the Blues ended a nine-game winning streak by the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Just a couple of blocks off the Vegas Strip, the Blues improved to 5-8-0 with 3-2 triumph for their second straight victory. The Golden Knights, who were hoping to tie a franchise record with their 10th straight win, fell to 13-3-0 for the season.
The next stop for St. Louis is Colorado and the defending Stanley Cup-champion Avalanche. Perhaps the arrival there of the players’ mothers for the team’s very first Mom’s trip will provide an additional spark. Or maybe not. We’ll see.
The Blues had a chance to pull away at the start of the third period, with two power play chances in the opening 2:41, but couldn’t convert.

So they had to do it the hard way. But somehow the Blues were able to hang on over the third period despite being outshot be Vegas 22-5 in a scoreless final period.
Ryan O'Reilly scored what proved to be the game winner late in the second period.
The Hamm effect
When St. Louis actor Jon Hamm is on a Blues broadcast good things usually happen – especially for Ivan Barbashev. Well, Hamm was on the Bally Sports Midwest telecast, wearing a green St. Patrick’s Day Barbashev jersey.

And Barbashev scored to tie the game at 2-2 late in the second period. Honestly, most of the credit should go to Brayden Schenn and Barbashev – and not Hamm. Barbashev has scored a couple of times in the past with Hamm in the booth – he was gone this time when Barbashev scored.
 
#60      
pruman91
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Blues show signs of long-lost resiliency in wins over Vegas, San Jose

In those victories, team avoided recent habit of letting one bad play balloon into several others.
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Jim Thomas

DENVER — During their franchise-record eight-game losing streak, the Blues made a habit out of turning hiccups into catastrophic events.
On seven occasions, starting with a 4-0 setback on Oct. 24 in Winnipeg that began the slide, the Blues allowed at least three goals in one period. (On two occasions, it was four goals.)
But in Thursday’s 5-3 victory over San Jose, followed by Saturday’s 3-2 triumph in Las Vegas, the Blues avoided the snowball effect. In other words, they didn’t let one bad play lead to two or three or four goals by the opposing team.
“Yeah, absolutely,” the Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly said, speaking specifically of the Vegas game. “That’s exactly what happened. We just kind of stuck with it. I think everyone on the bench was calm. Even when they made those pushes, there was no panic. Previously in the year, that’s when we’d kind of fall apart.

“But I think everyone — coaching staff, players —we were calm, took it one battle at a time to get out of it and got momentum back and found a way to win.”
Against San Jose, the Blues held leads of 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 only to have the Sharks tie the game each time. But the Blues kept at it, kept scoring and eventually won the game.
Against Vegas, there were two key moments in which the Blues could have fallen through the trap door but didn’t:
 
#61      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
Blues absolutely pulled one out of their backside late, being down to a 5-on-3 power play for the final 1:43 of the game which became a 6-on-3 power play for the final minute when the Avs pulled their goalie. Blues hold on 3-2 and their winning streak is now at 3. First Blues/'Hawks game of the season is Wednesday night at the UC.
 
#62      
pruman91
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Quick Hits: Blues hang on, topple Avalanche, 3-2

Blues kill of a lengthy 5-on-3 power play by Colorado to win their third straight.
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Jim Thomas

DENVER — On Saturday, the Blues defeated the hottest and at the time the best team in the NHL — the Vegas Golden Knights.
On Monday, they bested the defending Stanley Cup champions — that’s right, Stan Kroenke’s hockey team — by a score of 3-2.
So yeah, it’s been a pretty good 48 hours for the Blues. They have now won three in a row, and with each victory that ugly eight-game losing streak is more firmly in the rear-view mirror.
With most of the players’ mothers on hand for the team’s first-ever moms trip, the Blues improved to 6-8-0 for the season although they still remain in last place in the Central Division. Colorado, which had its four-game winning streak snapped, fell to 8-5-1.

Timing is everything in hockey, and the Blues caught the Avalanche missing seven injured players, including mainstays Gabriel Landeskog, Valeri Nichuskin, Sam Girard, Darren Helm and Bowen Byram.
After the morning skate, coach Craig Berube said he thought the presence of about 20 moms might bring some good luck.
“We’re gonna get it done,” Berube said. “We’re gonna get it done tonight. I have a good feeling.”
Turns out he was right.
The Blues did it by killing off 1:43 of a Colorado 5-on-3 power play — with 1:44 left in the game.
 
#63      
pruman91
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Blues notebook: Ryan O'Reilly on trade rumors — 'This is where I want to be. I believe in this team'

O'Reilly said he doesn't pay much attention to social media, so he hadn't heard the rumors.
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Jim Thomas
DENVER — Keep in mind, about half the Blues’ roster showed up on various NHL “trade bait” lists early in 2018-19 season. Before the Blues went from worst to first and won the Stanley Cup, that is.
So the fact that Ryan O’Reilly’s name recently has been bandied about as a possible trade chip for the Blues — including by TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun — shouldn’t come as a surprise, particularly because his contract expires at the end of the season.
Even so, it was a surprise to O’Reilly when mentioned to him by a Colorado reporter Monday after the Blues’ morning skate at Ball Arena.
“I haven’t heard that, or anything like that,” O’Reilly said, adding that he doesn’t pay attention to what’s on social media.

“I’m here (with the Blues). This is where I want to be. I believe in this team. I believe in myself here. Hopefully, it doesn’t get to that. I want to turn this around. I think we have a team that can contend for a Cup. You know, we’ve been a part of that.
“So it is what it is. There’s rumors flying around everywhere. I don’t really pay any attention to it. I’m part of the Blues. I want to be here. I want to win here. And I still think we have a great chance, a great team to do that.”
It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was receiving calls from around the league about players. That’s what happens when your team was in the midst of a franchise-record eight-game losing streak.
 
#64      
pruman91
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Notebook: Better 'compete' level a key in recent Blues victories

The St. Louis Blues have gotten back to playing their style of hockey in wins over San Jose, Vegas and Colorado.
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Jim Thomas
CHICAGO — The “compete” level is up for the Blues. And so are the number of victories.
“You know we’re winning a ton of puck battles out there,” coach Craig Berube said following Monday’s 3-2 victory at Colorado. “We’re starting to get our game going in the offensive zone. I thought that we did a good job defensively, protecting the middle of the ice.
“We gave up outside shots, but we didn’t give them their freebies-in-the-slot shots. I thought we did a good job.”

Put it all together, and that’s why the Blues have won their last three games. Which means they’re playing the style of hockey that Berube feels is necessary to be successful.
Sure, the Blues have had some puck luck, as evidenced by the Robert Thomas and Brandon Saad goals against the Avalanche. Thomas’ breakaway goal in the first period came on a shot that deflected off goalie Alexandar Georgiev‘s glove, off the crossbar, and then off the back of Georgiev’s goal — and in.
Saad’s second-period goal was supposed to be a pass to Josh Leivo that deflected off the skate of a Colorado defender and in.
But you know what they say: The harder you work, the luckier you get. And for some reason, the Blues’ work rate is better these days.
“I think it comes with hard work,” Thomas said. “It comes with playing the right way. That’s when you get rewarded with a couple bounces. So I think that’s what it comes down to.”
 
#65      
pruman91
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Quick hits: It's a Moms' trip sweep as Blues beat Chicago for fourth straight win

Blues match season-high with five-goal outburst against the Blackhawks.
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Jim Thomas
CHICAGO — We’re not going to give the mothers full credit for their sons’ three-game road sweep. After all, they weren’t around for the first game, Saturday in Las Vegas.
But on the team’s first-ever Moms’ trip, they certainly did their part to help the team get past Colorado on Monday and now, Chicago on Wednesday.
Between the food and the card games and the camaraderie, they watched the Blues stretch their winning streak to four games thanks to Wednesday’s 5-2 triumph over the Blackhawks at United Center.
Little more than a week ago, things looked as bleak as they’ve been in years, with the Blues losing a franchise-record eighth consecutive game — and looking bad, very bad, in the process. But happy days are here again.
Make no mistake, the Blues still have more work to do in order to dig out of their hole. But they are now 7-8-0 and could get back to sea level when they return home for Thursday’s contest with the Washington Capitals to complete this set of back-to-back games.
In case you’re wondering, many of the Blues mothers are returning to St. Louis to take in games at Enterprise Center during the upcoming three-game homestand.

Pond hockey​

What the hockey world calls “pond hockey” broke out in the second period. In other words, lots of goals and not much defense.
Over a stretch of 6 minutes 25 seconds, the teams combined for five goals — three by the Blues and two by the Blackhawks. There could have been twice that many scored in the period because both teams had tons of chances, in part because of some skilled work and determination, and in part because of some sloppy defense and bad passing.
 
#66      
pruman91
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Blues notebook: Moms on the road — card games, cookies, meetings, at least one late night

St. Louis Blues mothers get to know each other and get a glimpse of what the NHL life is like for their sons.
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Jim Thomas
CHICAGO — On the flight from Denver to Chicago on Tuesday, the ladies played cards with their sons on the team plane.
The big winner?
“I’d have to say Mrs. Binnington. Put it this way: not Mrs. Schenn,” said Brayden Schenn’s mother, Rita.
After checking into the hotel, they went out for a walk in Chicago, grabbed some coffee.
“It was great, walking in the rain with our kids. Doing a little shopping,” Mrs. Schenn said.
Next came dinner at Gibsons Steakhouse.
“And then we sent the boys home, and the moms continued on,” she said, with a smile.
Hmmm. Was this a case of what happens in Chicago, stays in Chicago?

“Exactly,” she said with a laugh. “We had nobody following us. Let’s put it that way.”
Such was a day in the life for about 20 mothers of Blues players on the team’s first-ever Moms’ trip.
They joined the team Sunday in Denver and got a slice of what it’s like to be an NHL player on the road. They attended team meetings in the morning and got video briefings from the Blues’ coaching staff.
They watched the morning skates on game days. Went in the locker room. Attended the games. And could be heard singing “Country Roads” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” after the Blues’ thrilling 3-2 victory Monday in Colorado outside the visitors’ locker room.
 
#67      
pruman91
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Quick hits: Make that five in a row for Blues with shootout win over Capitals

Buchnevich scores the game winner in sixth round of shootout.
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Jim Thomas

In the history of the NHL, there had never been a team win five straight games on the heels of a losing streak of eight games or more.
Until Thursday, that is. Wearing their yellow “reverse retro” jerseys, there was no reversing of the Blues’ winning streak. They defeated the Washington Capitals 5-4 in a shootout at Enterprise Center — and just like that — they have reached the .500 mark at 8-8-0 with their fifth consecutive victory.
The Moms’ trip, of course, is over. But most of the mothers returned from Chicago to St. Louis to watch their sons play Thursday, sitting in random seats — and not a box or suite. Most are staying for the remainder of the home stand, which includes successive home games against Anaheim on Saturday and Monday.

Making his fourth start of the year, backup goalie Thomas Greiss got his first victory as a member of the Blues. And with Colton Parayko out of the lineup again with an upper-body injury, rookie Tyler Tucker played in his second NHL game.
After taking what seemed like a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period, the Blues almost frittered away that advantage. The Capitals came at them hard for most of the final two periods. The last pressure point came with 5:38 left why the rarely-penalized Ryan O’Reilly was whistled for his second minor of the game — a tripping penalty.
Working the puck around masterfully, John Carlson was left open in the left circle and whistled one past Greiss to make it a 4-3 game with 4:03 left. And just 1:12 later Conor Sheary tied it with 3:03 left.
With 2:23 left, the puck ended up in the net again on a deflection by Nic Dowd. But the play was reviewed for a high stick by Dowd and disallowed.
So it went to overtime and then a shootout with Pavel Buchnevich scoring the game winner in the sixth round.
 
#68      
pruman91
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Quick Hits: Blues make it a six-pack of wins with a 6-2 romp over Anaheim

Team gets overall record above .500 for the first time since eight-game losing streak.
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Jim Thomas
Don’t look now but the Blues are above .500. Who among you thought we’d be saying that before Thanksgiving? Especially when 11 days ago they lost their franchise-record eighth straight in a contest against the Philadelphia Flyers?
But it’s true. Saturday’s 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks made it six victories in a row for the Blues and boosted their record to 9-8-0. Anaheim, meanwhile, continues to have the worst record in the league. Which is where the Blues were — of course you remember — on Nov. 8 with that 5-1 loss in Philly.
The Ducks fell to 5-12-1 and still haven’t won a game in regulation this season. (Their five victories have all come either in overtime or via shootout.)

Two goals by Pavel Buchnevich, and one apiece by Noel Acciari, Torey Krug, Brayden Schenn and Robert Thomas made it a season-high six goals in a game for St. Louis. Buchnevich also had three assists, giving him a career-high five-point game.
They did all this without Vladimir Tarasenko, who was scratched because of illness. The veteran forward entered the night tied for the team points lead — with four goals and nine assists. Defenseman Colton Parayko missed his second straight game due to an upper-body injury, but took part in the morning skate and expects to play Monday, against these same Ducks.
 
#69      
pruman91
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Quick hits: Blues run win streak to seven games with 3-1 victory over Ducks

Blues continue their hot streak but it's a bit tougher this time with 3-1 win over Anaheim
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Tom Timmermann

Game 2 of the Blues-Ducks miniseries was a far cry from Game 1.
In that one, the Blues sped off to a 4-0 lead on their way to a 6-2 win on Saturday. On Monday, the Blues scored 11 seconds into the game and then had to battle from there after Saturday’s lethargic third period carried over into Monday’s first.
The Blues got their offense going in the second period Monday but it wasn’t until there was 4:13 to go in the game that a slap shot by Justin Faulk on a power play put the Blues back ahead on their way to a 3-1 victory at Enterprise Center.
The Blues now have now won seven games in a row and will be able to turn their club record eight-game losing streak on its end on Wednesday in Buffalo. They are the first team in NHL history to follow an eight-or-more game losing streak with a seven-game winning streak.

Faulk’s goal came after Ivan Barbashev was tripped near the Anaheim goal by Dmitry Kulikov. More than a minute into the power play, Jordan Kyrou took a shot that was stopped by goalie John Gibson, with the rebound going wide to Robert Thomas. He threaded a pass through the slot to Faulk, who blasted in his fourth goal of the season.
Noel Acciari scored his second goal of the night, an empty-netter, with 18.5 seconds to play to seal the win.
The Blues played their second game without right winger Vladimir Tarasenko, who is sick. The Blues did back get defenseman Colton Parayko after he missed three games because of an upper body injury but were without Torey Krug, who had an upper body injury.


Krug left the morning skate early but Blues coach Craig Berube said he would play. Krug came out for pregame warmups but quickly headed back to the room and Tyler Tucker stayed in the lineup for the fourth game
 
#70      
pruman91
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Blues notebook: Rookie defenseman Tucker continues to impress

Blues rookie defenseman Tucker closes out third NHL game with his first fight.
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Joe Lyons
Blues rookie defenseman Tyler Tucker wasn’t looking for a fight. It just happened.
During the final seconds of the Blues’ victory over Anaheim on Saturday night at Enterprise Center, there was a scramble in front of the St. Louis net. The puck was cleared and Tucker got tangled up with the Ducks’ Sam Carrick.
They fought.
“It just kinda happened,” Tucker recalled. “There were maybe five seconds left in the game and I wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. I don’t mind (fighting); sometimes, you do what you have to do.”
It was just the third NHL game for Tucker, who has stepped up and played well with fellow defensemen Colton Parayko and Robert Bortuzzo sidelined because of upper-body injuries.

“I’m happy for him,” Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich said. “If you look at the bench, everybody was happy and looking to shake his hand (after the fight). He’s a quiet guy, always asking questions, but he stepped up and it’s great to see.”
Blues coach Craig Berube added: “He played a good game, ‘Tucks.’ He plays a simple game, he plays hard and he’s noticeable on the good side of things.”
Tucker, 22, was a seventh-round draft choice in 2018. He made a strong showing in training camp this fall and got off to a strong start with the Blues’ top farm club, the Springfield (Mass.) Thunderbirds, amassing a goal and six assists in 11 games before being called up.
 
#71      
pruman91
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Quick hits: Krug's status uncertain as Blues begin road trip

Torey Krug's status is uncertain as Blues begin road trip that'll take them to Buffalo and then to Florida.
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Joe Lyons
Riding a seven-game win streak, the St. Louis Blues will play Wednesday night in snow-packed Buffalo before heading off to Florida for games Friday in Tampa Bay and Saturday against the Panthers in Sunrise.
Their next home game is 7p.m. Monday against the Dallas Stars.
With a 3-1 win over Anaheim Monday at Enterprise Center, the Blues became the first team in NHL history to win seven games in a row after having a losing streak of eight or more games.
“It’s a big thing for puck luck and such,’’ Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly said after Tuesday’s practice in Earth City. When “things are going well, you seem to get bounces, obviously. When we were on the losing streak, it just seemed like every bad bounce was going away. It’s just funny, it’s the mental side of it. When you’re losing, everything’s a little tighter. When you’re loose, it’s funny how the puck just seems to find you better.”


And O’Reilly’s individual numbers bear that out. He had two goals and was -12 when the Blues lost 5-1 on Nov. 8 at Philadelphia. It was the team’s eighth consecutive loss and dropped the Blues’ record to 3-8.
Since then, over the team’s seven straight wins, O’Reilly has three goals and three assists and his plus-minus is +3.
“Winning cures everything; everyone feels better about it,’’ O’Reilly continued Tuesday. “We have that belief back in our group and it’s exciting; it’s fun coming to the rink....”
The Blues’ surge has been a complete group effort. During the win streak, the team has been without a number of players, including forward Vladimir Tarasenko and defensemen Colton Parayko, Robert Bortuzzo and Torey Krug.
 
#72      
IlliniFaninHoosierLand
Great comeback win for the Blues tonight in Florida. Blues down 4-1 heading into the 3rd period. Score 3 times in the 3rd and then get the game winner in OT from Kyrou.

Kyrou with 2 goals tonight.
 
#75      
pruman91
www.stltoday.com

Quick Hits: Blues find a way, rally for 5-4 victory on Jordan Kyrou's overtime goal

After falling behind 3-0 in first eight minutes, Blues rally from 4-1 deficit in third period.
www.stltoday.com www.stltoday.com

Jim Thomas
SUNRISE, Fla. — Unfortunately for the St. Louis Blues, Saturday’s festivities at FLA Live Arena amounted to a holiday season repeat. You know, like watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” back-to-back.
Although nothing was wonderful about the Blues’ Thanksgiving weekend — for most of Saturday that is.
Start slow. Trail 3-0 late in the first eight minutes of play. Win a fight. And then lose another hockey game.
But hold it right there.
Just when things looked hopeless, down 4-1, the Blues struck with a goal by Ryan O’Reilly at the 8:16 mark of the third period with a shot from behind the goal line that bounced off the leg of Florida goalie Spencer Knight. Then Jordan Kyrou streaked down right wing for his eighth goal of the season with 6:17 to play.

Just 2½ minutes later, struggling Vladimir Tarasenko tied it at 4-4 with his first goal since Nov. 3. And then in overtime, Torey Krug sprang Kyrou on a breakaway with a beauty of a pass and the Blues — amazingly — were 5-4 winners. Kyrou’s ninth goal of the season came just 68 seconds into overtime and boosted the Blues’ record to 11-10-0.
As Blues players went about their postgame routines in the bowels of FLA Live Arena, many dripping with sweat, defenseman Justin Faulk walked by, looked up, and said: “That was interesting.”
Yep. Against the Lightning, the Blues were down 3-0 at the 8:04 mark of the opening period. Against the Panthers, they were more stubborn — waiting 43 seconds later before trailing 3-0. (Sarcasm intended.)
So after digging out of the hole caused by that eight-game losing streak. You know, with that seven-game winning streak that followed, the Blues had their shovels out again. But digging in the wrong direction.
Somehow though, they found a way out. Their mini-slide ended at two losses.
 
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