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Lightning Vs. Blues Recap: Tara-senko! *Clap Clap ClapClapClap*

In Soviet Russia, hat throw you!

By Justin42
Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

Blues Lineup:

Forwards: Jaden Schwartz, Paul Stastny, David Perron, Robby Fabbri, Alexander Steen, Vladimir Tarasenko, Dmitrij Jaskin, Jori Lehtera, Patrik Berglund, Scottie Upshall, Kyle Brodziak, Ryan Reaves.

Defensemen:

Jay Bouwmeester, Alex Pietrangelo, Carl Gunnarsson, Kevin Shattenkirk, Robert Bortuzzo, Colton Parayko

Goaltender: Jake Allen

First Period:

The Blues and the Lightning hit the ice last night in a showdown of two top NHL teams. The Lightning were with out Steven Stamkos once again. Also, water is wet. Tarasenko didn't want to waste any time putting the Blues up 1-0 just a minute and a half into the game. Colton Parayko gets credit for an assist, but this goal was all Tarasenko.

The Blues struck again but this time on the powerplay. The Blues are not the only team in the NHL that take dumb penalties. The Lightning were called for delay of game after chucking the puck over the glass. Alexander Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko make this look way too easy for the 2-0 lead. The aforementioned Steen and Shattenkirk credited for the assists.

But of course Tampa had to spoil all of Tarasenko's fun. Cedric Paquette takes advantage of a rebound chance and doesn't miss the back of the net making it 2-1. Keep in mind all of this has happened in just the first 10 minutes of the game.

Just a few moments later, Lightning starter Andrei Vasilevskly makes a great save on David Perron after he and Schwartz broke out on a 2 on 1.

The Blues however did in fact get their third goal of the period. While on yet ANOTHER powerplay, Kevin Shattenkirk scores on a deflection. At first it was thought to have been tipped by Fabbri. Not so much. No matter who scored it, it gave the Blues the 3-1 lead. Steen and Fabbri with the assists on the goal.

Second Period:

The Blues were letting the Lightning take all the stupid penalties in this one. In the early moments of the period, the Lightning were called for too many men. The Blues capitalized once again. Shattenkirk gets his second goal of the night and the Blues were running away with this one.

Or not. The Lightning score with five and a half minutes left in the period to make it a 4-2 game. Tyler Johnson gets a chance from right in the slot and doesn't miss.

Third Period:

Jay Bouwmeester is a dirty pirate hooker. Just kidding. However, he did get called for hooking to start the period. The Lightning took advantage of the opportunity and made it a one goal game at 4-3.

The Blues had chased starter Vasilevskly earlier on their fourth goal. That means the Blues faced off against Ben Bishop. HEY GUYS HE'S FROM ST. LOUIS. Whatever. You know who else doesn't care? Vladimir Tarasenko. New goalie, same result. Tarasenko nets the hat-trick. Robby Fabbri gets the assist on the play. How Tarasenko was able to get a handle on the puck and shoot it past Bishop was nothing short of outstanding. I'm also biased.

The Lightning however were just not going to go away. Paquette scores his second goal of the game with around 8 minutes left. Uh-oh. 5-4.

However, the Blues held on and won it 5-4. The Blues waited till the end of the game to commit their token stupid penalty of the game. Paul Stastny was given a two minute minor for a faceoff violation. Oh well. At least that one didn't bite them in the ass. Next up for the Blues is the Jets tomorrow from Scottrade.

From The Twitter Machine:

Tarasenko interview with Panger:

Some notes on Jake Allen:

More Tarasenko:

Where do all those hats go?

Player of the game:

Tarasenko. No shit.