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The St. Louis Blues looked very strong coming out of the gate tonight. The first period was a treat to watch as there was quite a bit of pressure put on the Nashville Predators. The Defense, along with Jaroslav Halak, held their own by stopping everything the Predators threw their way. Everyone looked alert and awake unlike last night against the Canucks. The Blues had some very nice rushes into the Preds Zone eventually capitalizing on a power play. At 5:27 Jaden Schwartz won the face-off and got the puck to Kevin Shattenkirk who got the puck to Alexander Steen who was open at the opposite point who put the puck past Nashville’s Carter Hutton.
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The Blue and Yellow continued the pace after the goal. Barret Jackman ended up in a fight with the Preds’ Matt Hendricks after Hendricks gave Jaxx a nudge and a shoulder to the face. The Period ended with the Blues up by one. However, Magnus Paajarvi would not return after the first with an undisclosed "Upper Body Injury".
The second period brought the more rough and tumble play from the Blues and the Preds. With the Blues again amping up the hits and catching the Preds turnovers with ease. At 8:24 of the second Chris Stewart went down into the boards after a shove by Patric Hornqvist resulting in a boarding call for Hornqvist, a Power Play for the Blues and an injury for Stewie. Ten seconds after Nashville killed off the penalty, at 7:34 Alex Pietrangelo blasted the puck from the point allowing T.J. Oshie to tip it in while David Backes screened Hutton.
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Stewart came back for one shift to give Hornqvist a run for his money. Resulting in Stewart getting matching minors for Roughing with Hornqvist along with a Cross Check and 10 minute misconduct. After leaving the bench for a second time Stewart would not return to the game with an "Upper Body Injury". Shortly after killing off the minor penalty to Stewie the Blues went on the rush, at 11:36 of the second Schwarts put in a beautiful tic tac tow goal getting assists from Vladimir Sobotka and Vladimir Tarasenko.
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The Blues started off the third period on the power play. Unfortunately at :52 seconds of the period Nick Spaling broke through the Power Play set up and went on the breakaway resulting in a shorthanded Goal, putting Nashville on the board, 3-1. The Blues didn’t let Nashville’s goal change the tempo of the game and continued to apply pressure as if the score still stood 3-0. At 4:37 Mister Steeny got his second of the night with a little help from Hutton’s bum.
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The boys weren't done there. At 7:48 #RoyWatch went up by one, Derek Roy got a nice pass on the rush from Senko and put a wrister past Hutton putting the Blues up to 5-1.
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After a quick goal change the Preds got some life back in the game but it didn’t last to long. To complete the night Alex Pietrangelo took a slapper from the slot directly into the back of the net.
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The game was a nice change of pace for the blues. It was a much better balanced style of play that was enjoyable. The post game interview for Steener was also great. The boys were all smiles as they walked past Bernie and Steen poking and rubbing on his face and causing adorable interactions between team mates. I can’t wait to see what more this first line has in store for us cause they sure are hot hot HOTT. Enjoy the win Cats and Kittens and I will see you all Tuesday when the Blues take on the Jets.
Those are my thoughts, but what yours? Let me know in the comments!
#RoyWatch Bumped up to 7 after that sick wrister!