Home Cooking Sickens Blues

The Blues really need Kevin Shattenkirk back. Like really need him back. The Blues have lost 3 of their last 4 home games and two of those have been against the East which has been a feasting ground for this team over the last few years. The under the radar Montreal Canadiens were in town tonight, leading the East with 81 points and looking to sweep the season series. The Blues were looking for a better first period as the past three games they have come out flat and slow.

The first few minutes of the game definitely belonged to the Blues, they had a nice cycle and while they only got one shot on goal they had good pressure on Carey Price. Dimitri Jaskin continued his impressive play with a nifty deke and a near wrap around goal that was only stopped thanks to a timely Canadiens defensive play. The teams traded shots and chances most of the period but once again the Blues surrendered the first goal of the game.

Even though they gave up the lead, the Blues played a solid first and out shot Montreal 7-6. Montreal did block 5 shots in the first period as well, further showing how well the Blues did play.

Montreal would add a second goal 3:11 into the second when Alex Galchenyuk, who had missed the last two games with the flu, took a face off win and snuck the puck between Jake Allen's pads. The Blues would bounce back roughly three minutes later with Backes in front of the net:

Once again the Blues would play a solid period until the final four minutes when things got crazy. An errant pass by Vladimir Tarasenko led to Brenden Gallagher breaking in on a two on one and beating Allen stick side to reclaim the two goal lead. 49 seconds later the Blues would give up offensive zone possession and Galchenyuk fed a pass to Michael Bournival for a breakaway goal eerily reminiscent of the Max Pacioretty goals scored in the previous meeting. The Blues would answer back just over a minute later with this TJ Oshie goal:

The third period would be very tight checking by Montreal but the Blues continued to push to get back in the game. Carey Price continuously showed why he is the goals against leader in the league stopping all 10 shots thrown his way in the third. The Canadiens also continued to block shot after shot, finishing with 15 blocked shots on the game. The Blues best opportunity came late in the third on a face off win back to Tarasenko who ripped a shot that Price got his left leg pad on. Unfortunately that ended with Jaskin taking an offensive zone penalty and Gallagher's second goal of the game sealing the Blues fate.

Despite outshooting Montreal 29-23, the Blues fell 5-2 and while not totally outplayed, you could tell this team is missing something. The power play went 0 for 2 and they did not have as much sustained pressure as usual. This team is really missing the mobility and daring of Shattenkirk and one can only hope he returns soon.

The Blues travel to Winnipeg on Thursday hoping to stay within striking distance of Nashville. With the trade deadline looming tomorrow, this team could look different by Thursday and it could be another struggle of a game. Maybe getting on the road may help but they do play 11 of the next 13 on the road.

Three Stars

#3- David Backes - 1 Goal, +1

#2 - Brenden Gallagher - 2 Goals

#1 - Alex Galchenyuk - 2 Goals, 1 Assist, +3