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Wild Vs. Blues Recap: Nail'd It

Yakupov helps the Blues win their second game in as many nights.

By Justin42
Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

Blues Lineup -

Forwards - Robby Fabbri/Paul Stastny/Alexander Steen...David Perron/Jori Lehtera/Vladimir Tarasenko...Magnus Paajarvi/Patrik Berglund/Nail Yakupov...Scottie Upshall/Kyle Brodziak/Ryan Reaves

Defensemen - Jay Bouwmeester/Alex Pietrangelo...Carl Gunnarson/Kevin Shattenkirk...Joel Edmundson/Colton Parayko

Goalie - Jake Allen

Game Highlights -

After last night's 5-2 win in Chicago, the Blues would be right back at it. Only tonight it would be in St. Louis against the Minnesota Wild. While the powerplay looked good last night, it was a different story tonight. Picking up the action in the first...While on the powerplay the Blues would give up a great shorthanded chance to Jason Zucker that Allen would have to turn away.

Allen wasn't tested much. Or really not at all other than the breakaway as the Wild would get all of 2 shots on goal in the first frame. The Blues however would score first, as Alexander Steen would get one past Wild starter Devin Dubnyk. Steen, who looked to be in trouble early on in the play, got some help from Robby Fabbri. Fabbri would get the puck to Steen and Steen would bury it for the 1-0 Blues lead. Fabbri and Stastny would get credit for the assists.

Early on in the second period the Wild would tie things up. Ryan Suter would work the puck away from Kevin Shattenkirk. Allen would make the initial save but couldn't do anything about the rebound. Just like that this game is tied at one on just the 4th shot of the game for the Wild.

Eric Staal signed with the Wild this past offseason. He was almost able to score after making a great break and getting in alone on Allen. Note I said almost.

Later in the period Allen would make another great save preserving the 1-1 tie. After Colton Parayko destroyed Mikal Granlund, Zach Parise would get in close on Allen who would get his right pad on the puck to keep it out of the net.

With the game still tied at one, it was time for one of the newest Blues to welcome himself to St. Louis. Nail Yakupov would score his first goal as a Blue. He would get into the zone and just blast a shot. That shot would deflect off of Dubnyk's glove and into the back of the net. Parayko and Berglund would pick up the assists.

With the second period drawing closer to an end, the Blues would be on the power play. Robby Fabbri would almost make it 3-1. A last minute save from Dubnyk would keep the puck out of the back of the net.

Moving ahead to the third period. This time, Yakupov would show off his passing skills. He would absolutely laser a pass to Magnus Paajarvi. Even he couldn't mess that one up and would bury it for a 3-1 Blues lead. Yakupov and Berglund would get the assists on the goal. If anything this buys a couple more games for captain umlaaut. Which is fine...if he keeps scoring.

The Wild would fight back however. This time Jason Zucker would find Charlie Coyle for the tip past Allen to make it a 3-2 Blues lead.

With about two minutes left the Blues would find themselves in a 4-on-1 situation. What they didn't find was the back of the net. They did get a shot on goal though so...progress I guess.

After all is said and done however, the Blues would take this one 3-2. Two nights, two central division foes. Same result. A pretty strong start to the season if I say so myself. The Blues take to the ice again on Saturday night to take on the New York Rangers.

From The Twitter Machine:

In case you hadn't heard, the Marlins lost a young talent Jose Fernandez. The Panthers wore Fernandez sweaters tonight in his honor.

David Backes had an ok night tonight for the Bruins...

Tom Stillman shaking hands before the Blues game tonight...

And finally...Nail's first postgame interview

Three Stars:

Colton Parayko

Patrik Berglund

Nail Yakupov

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