The Blues would continue the Canada tour tonight after facing the Edmonton McDavid's Oilers. The Blues would have Brian Elliott in goal. Edmonton would counter with Cam Talbot. The Blues would roll out the lines of Tarasenko/Stastny/Steen, Schwartz/Lehtera/Brouwer, Jaskin/Backes/Upshall, and Ott/Brozdiak/Reaves. The D-parings tonight would look a little different with Shatty out: Pietrangelo/Bouwmeester, Gunnarson/Parayko, and Edmunson/Bortuzzo.
First Period:
As it was the Oilers home opener tonight, they came out fast and furious. Just 1:36 into the game this happened:
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Leading is overrated anyway right? Here's the thing. Jori Lehtera would not have any of that first period lead stuff that the Oilers were trying to put down:
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The Blues would counter quickly. Which is a good sign no matter how many games into the season you are. Troy Brouwer has looked great in the Bluenote so far. I'm impressed with his play so far and hope he can keep it up consistently for the season. He would have the initial shot on the play and Lehtera would bang home the rebound. Obviously, being outshot 5-0 to that point made so much of a difference...
Second Period:
Brian Elliott really wants this starting job. Despite not getting the nod in the playoffs last year (that's for another time). Making key saves tonight like this one:
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While Elliott was dealing the offense would take over in the form of Vladimir Tarasenko, because of course it would:
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What an offensive zone faceoff. Vlady makes it look so easy. The Blues would take the lead that point and never really look back. As they should (No Offense Oilers). Bouwmeester and Lehtera would get the assists. This was easily Lehtera's best game since coming back from injury.
Third Period:
With Elliott dealing, the Blues would come out in the third with some pretty good momentum/confidence. To this point, the Blues would be the first team to score on the Oilers penalty kill. No really. I'm not kidding:
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Taylor Hall wanted to at least make it close. Yikes:
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Talbot tried to keep it close for the Oilers. Which for the most part it was. However, the Blues would have none of that. A one goal lead was not enough for this team as Steener would score late to make it 4-2
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That goal would be all she wrote. The Blues would cruise to the 4-2 win. I would say that I'm sorry the Blues spoiled the final opener at Rexall place, but...nope. The Blues have not lost to the Oilers since 2013. To be honest, it looked like the Oilers would change that in the first. But the Blues would slap Edmonton back in their place. The Blues are literally back on the road tomorrow night against Vancouver.
Three Stars:
3rd: Vladimir Tarasenko (1 goal on 4 shots. Still, Russian badass)
2nd: Taylor Hall (The one bright spot for the Oil tonight despite Connor McWhatshisnuts debut)
1st: Jori Lehtera (1 goal, 1 assist. Making a good comeback so far)
Side Notes:
I'm impressed with Scottie Upshall's performance so far in the note. Seems like his name was called a lot tonight. I also was cringing about Gunnarson and Parayko playing together, but they held their own. By that I mean Gunnarson didn't do anything overly stupid. It's sad when I have more confidence in the rookies than I do Gunnarson. What say you Blues fans?