With the St. Louis Blues' 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings in Stockholm Saturday afternoon (evening in Europe) the Blues announced their presence with authority.
The Blues came out flat, uninspired and sloppy. There was a lot of standing around and Tye Conklin looked nervous. He was flopping, giving up huge rebounds, impersonating a starfish. He gave up a goal in the first 30 seconds, allowed two more in quick fashion before the third was waived off for a high stick.
A late power play goal by Keith Tkachuk in the first kept the Blues in it. During the break, the Fox Sports Detroit reporter called the first period nearly atrocious.
And then the Blues came out and played a second period as good as any they've played the last five years. They skated hard, drove to the net. They dominated...and swept the Wings in Sweden. They remain in first place in the Central Division and undefeated against the Winged Wheel.
Andy McDonald had a spin-o-rama goal in the crease. Patrik Berglund scored in his home town. Much celebrating happened in St. Louis.
The end result: two wins, four points and validation that the Blues just might challenge for the Central Division title.
Unbelievable. This is your post-game thread. Celebrate accordingly.