Blues Vs. Rangers Recap: SHutt The Front Door!

Blues Lineup -

Forwards:

Vladimir Sobotka - Paul Stastny - Vladimir Tarasenko

Jaden Schwartz - Brayden Schenn - Ivan Barbashev

Magnus Paajarvi - Oskar Sundqvist - Tage Thompson

Scottie Upshall - Kyle Brodziak - Chris Thorburn

Defensemen:

Joel Edmundson - Alex Pietrangelo

Carl Gunnarsson - Colton Parayko

Vince Dunn - Robert Bortuzzo

Goaltender:

Carter Hutton

Game Highlights -

Dmitrij Jaskin had been in the starting lineup. However, due to his missing a team meeting he was booted out in favor of Barbashev. As one of the players on the team fighting for a roster spot, probably not the smartest of ideas. Just saying. With that being said, the game must go on.

Just fifteen seconds into the game, the Blues jump out to the 1-0 lead. Carl Gunnarsson doubled his goal output of last year (Zero, nada, zip, zilch, goose egg) with his second goal of the young season. Jaden Schwartz drew three of five Rangers toward him leaving Gunnarsson open in the slot. Gunnarsson received the pass and put the puck in the back of the net.

Moments later, after Schwartz was called for a hook, the Rangers tied the game at 1. Mika Zibanejad collected a rebound chance and put it in the net. Zibanejad became only the second Ranger to score in four straight games to open a season.

Still in the first period, the Blues find the back of the net again. While on the powerplay Brayden Schenn found the back of the net. But only after he called “bank” on the shot. That’s right, Schenn managed to bounce it off Rangers’ starter Henrik Lundqvist and into the net. 2-1 Blues.

Despite the fact that the Blues were trying to hand the Rangers this game in the third (at one point shots were 13-7 Rangers but it really didn’t feel that way) Hutton saved them several times. Hutton makes a pair of saves on Brady Skjei with both teams down a man.

Things weren’t going any better for the Blues after failing to score on a 5 on 3 powerplay. As the Rangers got a man back, Lundqvist makes a save and Michael Grabner takes off. Grabner gets in alone on Hutton, but Hutton denied the breakaway chance.

We now go live to the “How in The World Did They Not Score department?” - Answer? Carter Hutton. What a series of great saves from the Blues backup. Maybe he’s trying to clamor for more playing time?

Now there was a bit of controversy in the third as there was a review of a Paul Stastny shot. From the angle that Fox Sports Midwest had you never saw the puck cross the line. It was an overhead angle that never showed a conclusive view of the puck going in. From the angle that Keith Olbermann had, it looked like it was clearly in.

Here’s the NHL explanation:

“At 8:40 of the third period in the Blues/Rangers game, the Situation Room initiated a review to examine a play at the New York net that occurred at 6:29. Video review confirmed the call on the ice that the puck did not cross the New York goal line. No goal St. Louis.”

Jaden Schwartz puts all the debate (or lack there of) behind everyone when he seals the Blues win with an empty net goal to give the Blues a 3-1 win.

Despite being outshot 16-8 in the third, the Blues found a way to weather the Rangers push and win. By that, Carter Hutton was doing backflips in net and saved the team that was in front of him. Up next for the Blues, they’ll head down south to take on the Panthers.

Tweet included in the recap because I told Hildy I would.

Tweet included in recap because well...It’s a legitimate question. Bummed we didn’t get the answer. Also, self promotion so you can tell me how much I suck. Or how much you love me. You know. Whatever.

Random fact you didn’t think you wanted to know, but oh..you do:

You reading this right now have played as many games as Jori Lehtera has this year.

Player of the Game because this is finally over.

In all seriousness, Hutton played great. Stopping 32 of 33 and dragging the Blues through that dreaded third period.