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Blues Vs. Lightning Recap: Dad Perfect

Bless you Mr. Elliott. Brian that is.

By Justin42
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Blues Lineup:

The Blues lineup would look familiar to those that watched the Panthers game the other night as it was the same for tonight's game. In case you missed it though the forward lines looked like this: Patrik Berglund/Alexander Steen/David Backes...Jaden Schwartz/Jori Lehtera/Vladimir Tarasenko...Robby Fabbri/Paul Stastny/Troy Brouwer...Scottie Upshall/Kyle Brodziak/Ryan Reaves. On defense the Blues rolled with Kevin Shattenkirk/Jay Bouwmeester...Carl Gunnarsson/Colton Parayko....Joel Edmundson/Robert Bortuzzo. The Blues would start Brian Elliott in net.

Game Highlights:

Early on in the game, Robby Fabbri had another first in the NHL. His first NHL fight. No really. This happened:

Brian Elliott would again show up before the rest of the team decided to join him. The Blues didn't record their first shot on goal until almost nine minutes had passed. By that point the Lightning already had seven shots on net. (Granted they also had a powerplay opportunity). Elliott would deny a total of 12 Lightning chances in the first period all in all. Here, on one of those saves he would deny Nikita Kucherov:

The Blues finished the first with only four shots on net (Trying to lull Ben Bishop to sleep wasn't working I guess) but they started to look better towards the end of the period. The momentum built at the end of the first would carry over into the second as the Blues would score their first goal of the night thanks to the aforementioned Fabbri:

Fabbri would score his 13th of the year on a busted play from the Tampa defense, or lack there of. I mean it was 2 on none but I don't think Brouwer was going to get a chance to touch that one. Paul Stastny(22) would get the assist on the play that put the Blues up 1-0. It was one of at least 5 odd man rushes for the Blues in the second (by my count anyway) The Blues also hit two posts and really had a decent second. (Although, lets be honest, their second periods haven't always been the best, so that bar might be a little low.)  Brian Elliott keeping the Blues in the game with 14 minutes to go in the game. Brayden Coburn would get a very wide open chance in front of Elliott but couldn't get it passed "Moose"

Late in the third period the Blues would score their second goal of the night thanks to Patrik Berglund. Berglund would get the puck with a break away chance. Bishop would deny the chance but the rebound would bounce off of his equipment into Berglund's skate and back into the net. Initially the goal was waived off, but after further review...

It would be Berglund's fourth goal of the year, unassisted on the play. The dreaded two goal lead in the third period. But with Brian Elliott on his way to another shutout, everything was going to be ok. Oops. Nikita Kucherov would score with 52 seconds left (and Bishop pulled) and spoil that shutout.

The good news is that the Blues would go on to win it 2-1 in Tampa. They managed to snap a nine game home winning streak for the lightning and help the Dad's trip to go 5-0 the past two seasons. The Blues return home Tuesday night to take on the Stars. (Also, NBCSN game.) If you're going to the game, be sure to find your Gametime vendor and buy a paper or five because your friends need one too.

Miscellaneous Fun:

Huge if this is(was) true:

Brian Elliott robbed of an assist?

Fabbri talks about his night:

And finally, I'd have to agree with the Blues on this one:

Three Stars:

Third Star: Robby Fabbri (1 goal. Fight. Hopefully not doing that again anytime soon.)

Second Star: Ben Bishop (19 of 21 saved. Went to a high school in St. Louis or something)

First Star: Brian Elliot (37 saves. Waiting for the IR announcement due to sore back from you know, carrying the team)

Honorable Mention: The Blues organization for doing the dad trip in the first place. They all (players and dads alike) seem like they have a great time. (Doesn't hurt that the Blues haven't lost a "dad game" in two years)

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