Blues Lineup:
Jaden Schwartz - Brayden Schenn - Vladimir Tarasenko
Zach Sanford - Ryan O’Reilly - David Perron
Pat Maroon - Tyler Bozak - Sammy Blais
Ivan Barbashev - Oskar Sundqvist - Alexander Steen
Defense
Joel Edmundson - Alex Pietrangelo
Jay Bouwmeester - Colton Parayko
Vince Dunn - Carl Gunnarsson
Goalie
Jordan Binnington
Game Highlights:
The Blues were still searching for their first ever franchise win on home ice in the Stanley Cup Final. They had their first chance Saturday night, but we’re just gonna put that one behind us. As noted above, Zach Sanford, Oskar Sundqvist and Vince Dunn were all in the lineup for game four.
First Period -
Just 43 seconds into the game Ryan O’Reilly scored the first goal of the night on a wrap around play. Vince Dunn fired a shot that deflected off of Zach Sanford and right at Tukka Rask. O’Reilly was there to pick up the loose puck and skate around the back of the net. Before Rask could get his skate to the post, O’Reilly snuck the puck over the line to give the Blues the quick 1-0 lead.
With 6:46 to go in the period, Charlie Coyle got his name on the score sheet once again. This time he scored on a rebound chance right in front. Zdeno Chara fired the puck on, Binnington made that save but couldn’t stop Coyle’s bid. Game now tied 1-1.
Just a few moments later, Vladimir Tarasenko buried a rebound chance given up by Rask. Pietrangelo fired the initial shot on net that Rask was able to save. But Tarasenko rushed in like a bat outta hell and netted the rebound to give the Blues back their one goal lead.
Shots at the end of one were 13-9 in favor of the Blues. The more important stat of the period? The Blues did not get called for stupid penalties. In fact nothing was called for either side in the period.
Second Period -
The Blues did everything but score in the second. At times they looked the best they had all year. At one point the Blues had a good solid two and a half to three minutes of offensive zone time. Eventually, They were rewarded with a power play. The Blues were primed to take a two goal lead. And then the power play from hell returned that had fans wondering if the Blues could actually decline the man advantage. Brandon Carlo netted a short handed goal for the Bruins that tied the game at two. Marchand got the puck in, Bergeron gloved the puck down and fired the puck on net. Binnington gave up the rebound and Carlo was able to score off of it. Not great Bob.
Shots were 12-10 in favor of the Blues. The only penalty the Blues committed was the dumbest thing in the NHL (Delay of game) so chalk that up as a didn’t count.
Third Period -
A little over midway through the period, Ryan O’Reilly scored his second goal of the night on another rebound bid. Alex Pietrangelo again fired the initial shot on net. The rebound came back at O’Reilly and he batted it out of midair and past Rask for the 3-2 lead.
The Blues vs. an empty net has been a huge battle this year. Not tonight. Brayden Schenn hit the open net (thankfully) and put this one on ice.
Final shot totals were 38-23 in favor of the Blues. The Blues were only called for two penalties all night. (The third was matching minors at the very end of the game). The two teams play again Thursday night in Boston.
Just Too Tweeeeet:
Reaction vids are always great. More so when it’s your team.
BEDLAM outside the arena! #StanleyCup
— #StanleyCup on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 4, 2019
PSA: Please do be careful when picking up your adult friends in the midst of celebration. ☝ pic.twitter.com/0Mfb0LjMqp
That moment when Brett Hull joined DX. (90s wrestling reference.)
The hype level of @stlouisblues legend Brett Hull before Game 4 began was OFF THE CHARTS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/E7DYa8qo2J
— #StanleyCup on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) June 4, 2019
This man will have sung the max number that he could during these playoffs. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hey Charles. We're gonna need ya for one more game. #stlblues #WeAllBleedBlue pic.twitter.com/anGBI0BaXr
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) June 4, 2019
Fancy Stats for the “Fourth Line”
The Blues' 4th line has played 10:33 of 5-on-5 against Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak. The Corsi For percentage is 50% and goals are 0-0. #stlblues https://t.co/rTSIV8ZM48
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) June 4, 2019
Player of the Game.
Brett Hull showing the Bruins some love #STLBlues #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/vQnjh5llp4
— Chrissi Runnergirl (@ChrissiRuns) June 4, 2019