St. Louis Game Time - Blues At Wild GameDay Storystream: Resurgent Wild Look To Keep Gaining GroundWe're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2016-03-06T23:29:49-06:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/109330432016-03-06T23:29:49-06:002016-03-06T23:29:49-06:00Blues Vs. Wild Recap: Totally WILD Finish
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/29OPPz6-ifFjWgYDBiYbBzq7NEc=/0x0:3407x2271/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49011399/usa-today-9163578.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Blues almost Blue'd it.</p> <p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> Lineup:</b></p>
<p>The Blues forwards for tonight's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Wild</a>: <span>Jaden Schwartz</span>/The return of <span>Jori Lehtera</span>/<span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span>...<span>Robby Fabbri</span>/<span>Paul Stastny</span>/<span>Troy Brouwer</span>...<span>Patrik Berglund</span>/<span>David Backes</span>/Dmitirij Jaskin...<span>Scottie Upshall</span>/<span>Kyle Brodziak</span>/<span>Ryan Reaves</span>.</p>
<p>Defensive Pairings: <span>Jay Bouwmeester</span>/<span>Alex Pietrangelo</span>...<span>Kevin Shattenkirk</span>/<span>Carl Gunnarsson</span>...<span>Colton Parayko</span>/Joel Edmundson. Goalie: <span>Jake Allen</span></p>
<p><b>Game Highlights:</b></p>
<p>After what seemed like forever, the Blues were back in action tonight against the Wild in Minnesota. The Blues looked great in the first period. The few days off looked like it did the team some good. They would come out firing against Wild starter Devan Dubnyk. Jori Lehtera would start of the scoring tonight for the good guys. He would steal an errand pass and beat Dubnyk right through his legs for the 1-0 lead.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/lehtera-capitalizes-on-turnover/t-277443738/c-42242203?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>That would be Lehtera's eighth goal of the year, and it would go unassisted. The Blues weren't done there though. On a pass from Kyle Brodziak, Ryan Reaves would skate right in and score off of Dubnyk's glove.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/reaves-third-goal-of-the-season/t-277443738/c-42242903?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>The Wild would challenge the play, ruling that it was offside. However, it was ruled a good goal and Reaves' third goal would give the Blues a 2-0 lead. Brodziak(3) and Bouwmeester(14) would get the assists. Jake Allen wasn't very busy in the first, but he would be woken up late in the period after Brouwer would turn it over in front of his own net. <span>Erik Haula</span> would get a shot on net but Allen would deny him.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/allen-denies-haula-after-turnover/t-277443738/c-42244103?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Fast forwarding to midway through the second now. The Blues, after being outplayed most of the second frame, would catch a break in the form of a big rebound chance off of Dubnyk. Berglund would be there to bury it for the 3-0 Blues lead.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/berglund-finishes-rebound/t-277443738/c-42246503?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Berglund scores his sixth goal of the year with David Backes(20) getting the lone assist. This would also see the end of Dubnyk's night, as he was pulled for Darcy Kuemper. Jake Allen would make some amazing saves tonight. Just a few moments after the Blues scored the Wild would have a great chance in front. Allen would deny <span>Jason Pominville</span> the opportunity of getting the Wild on the board with this spectacular glove save.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/allens-terrific-glove-save/t-277443738/c-42246903?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>So with the Blues three goal lead, everything was going to end well right? Well, <span>Ryan Suter</span> had other ideas midway through the third.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/wild/video/embed/suters-backhanded-goal/t-277443718/c-42249503?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Okay, there went the shutout. No big deal. The Blues won't do what they've done more times than fans want to remember and blow another lead right?</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/wild/video/embed/dumba-buries-the-feed/t-277443718/c-42249903?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>Here we go again. The Wild would manage to get the game to 3-2 in the third with plenty of time to go. (Considering the goal with .1 seconds left...that's way too much time). The Wild would pull Kuemper leaving an open net. The Blues, namely Robby Fabbri, would capitalize on the opportunity and bury one in the open net for the two goal Blues lead.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/fabbris-empty-net-goal/t-277443738/c-42250203?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p>However, the game wasn't finished just yet. Jake Allen would keep the Wild from getting right back into it with this amazing stick save to preserve the two goal lead and the Blues 4-2 win.</p>
<p><iframe height="360" width="540" src="https://www.nhl.com/blues/video/embed/allens-tremendous-stick-save/t-277443738/c-42250403?autostart=false"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Miscellaneous Fun</b></p>
<p>Numbers from tonight's game</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Roadtrip Ends on Minnesota-Nice Note <a href="https://t.co/PdH93n3VyB">pic.twitter.com/PdH93n3VyB</a></p>
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) <a href="https://twitter.com/StLouisBlues/status/706703135255859200">March 7, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Apparently Dubnyk was butthurt about the offsides/non-offsides call tonight</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wild’s Dubnyk was critical of NHL’s video review process after loss to Blues <a href="https://t.co/2UXAdhudFo">https://t.co/2UXAdhudFo</a></p>
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLonNBCSports/status/706701812456271874">March 7, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Here's the NHL explanation of said call:</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Explanation of Coach’s Challenge at 9:37 of the first period in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLvsMIN?src=hash">#STLvsMIN</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ClosertotheGame?src=hash">#ClosertotheGame</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZE2uZgUYtN">https://t.co/ZE2uZgUYtN</a></p>
— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/706661995962040321">March 7, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>And finally, with the birth of Ryan Reaves' child...he and the guys were having a little fun with it.</p>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Reaves scoring 1st game after kid: "The boys were joking I gotta pop one out every day but I don't think I've got time for that." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stlblues?src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>
— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) <a href="https://twitter.com/lkorac10/status/706697362215968768">March 7, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Three <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a>:</b></p>
<p>Third Star: Jori Lehtera (1 goal. Reunited and it feels soooooo gooooood)</p>
<p>Second Star: Ryan Suter (1 goal. Meh)</p>
<p>First Star: Jake Allen (30 saves. Still not a snake.)</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/6/11171338/blues-vs-wild-recap-totally-wild-finishJustin422016-03-06T18:30:03-06:002016-03-06T18:30:03-06:00GameThread for St. Louis Blues at Minnesota Wild
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8PPgrPAWh90IP5iJbyAU2TzHsJk=/0x13:4026x2697/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49010049/usa-today-8540204.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The last month of the season begins tonight for the Blues after a four game break.</p> <p>Tonight's game is one of two games this week on NBCSN; the second is Wednesday night's rivalry game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a>. That game will come with a very special announcement by the NHL (surprise! It's the Winter Classic! Book your hotels before Wednesday); this game does not have a fun announcement attached.</p>
<p>Well, Jori Lehtera's back, if that counts.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a>, and Blackhawks all have 16 games remaining. We're down to the wire; a win to cool off the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> would be a nice way to start this last month of the season. Where has the time gone?</p>
<p>This is your GameDay thread. Comment like you're excited for a game against the Wild(s).</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's Go Blues.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/6/11170584/gamethread-for-st-louis-blues-at-minnesota-wild-mar-6-2016hildymac2016-03-06T14:00:03-06:002016-03-06T14:00:03-06:00Step By Step: Blues at Minnesota Wild Preview
<figure>
<img alt="Who wants to see an angry Shatty take some lunch money today?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rcCIVr3CXJkEFOQKVETeQ6cbqjk=/0x231:1626x1315/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49008177/usa-today-8853565.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Who wants to see an angry Shatty take some lunch money today? | Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There's a new kid, er, coach behind the Wild bench</p> <p>A lot has happened with the <a href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Wild</a> since we've last seen them. Back then they were on the outside of the playoff picture, and sinking like a rock. The <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> won 4-1 that night, contributing to the impending doom surrounding coach Mike Yeo. The annual "Yeo is going to get fired" rumors actually came true a week later. After a stretch where the Wild lost 13 of 14 games (1-11-2) and 8 in a row, a change was made. The Wild relieved Yeo of his duties, and brought up their AHL head coach John Torchetti to take over. They were hoping he had the right stuff to bring the team back together again.</p>
<p>Since then, the Wild have really turned things around. Since the coaching change, they've gone 8-3-0. They won their first four games in a row, scoring at least 5 goals each time. The last was a 6-1 blowout of Chicago in front of 50,000 fans in their first outdoor game. Where they once couldn't score to save their coach's job, now they were scoring in bunches. They've since cooled off on the scoring a little bit, but have continued to win games. They come into tonight's matchup having won another 4 in a row, including yesterday in the shootout against Buffalo. This hot streak has them hangin' tough as the last wild card slot in the playoffs, pushing Colorado out of the picture. Now, they need to pocket more points as the season winds down, and build a cushion between them and the Avs.</p>
<p>Last year, it was <span>Devan Dubnyk</span> that saved Yeo's job. The Wild made a trade for Dubnyk, he shutout the <a href="https://www.diebytheblade.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sabres</a> that night and never looked back. He started 38 straight games to finish the season, posting a 27-9-2 record and a 1.78 GAA and .936 Sv% stat line. This season, Dubs has looked a little more human, but is still putting up some decent numbers. In 52 appearances this year, he has a record of 25-21-5 and a .919 Sv%. Since yesterday's game was in the afternoon, they may go back to him again. If not, then we're looking <span>Darcy Kuemper</span> in net. In his 17 games, he's gone 6-4-5 with a .918 Sv%. With this being a divisional game, I'd expect Dubnyk would get the start.</p>
<p>Yesterday, the Wild welcomed back <span>Jason Zucker</span> back from concussion. He'll continue to work himself back into the lineup tonight. In a similar way, the Blues are expected to get <span>Jori Lehtera</span> back tonight. Yet another shuffling of linemates will result from this, so we'll have to wait and see what shakes out. Once again, <span>Jake Allen</span> will get the start tonight. He'll be starting every single game for the rest of the year, or at least until Elliott is healthy again.</p>
<p>Keep an eye out for special teams tonight. The Blues are currently 6th in the league, converting on 21.8% of their power play opportunities. The Wild come into this game ranked 28th on the PK, and have allowed 8 goals in the last 13 PK situations. The last time we faced the Wild, the Blues were 3-for-6 on the PP. Let's try it again, eh?</p>
<p><b>Further Reading:</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Hockey Wilderness</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/Russos_Rants/" target="_blank">Russo's Rants</a> (Star Tribune)</p>
<p><span>Blues vs Wild coverage</span></p>
<p><b>GameDay Twitter Feed:</b></p>
<p><a class="twitter-timeline" href="https://twitter.com/CrossCheckRaise/lists/gameday" data-widget-id="516033528023105536">Tweets from https://twitter.com/CrossCheckRaise/lists/gameday</a>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");
// --></script>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Final Verse: </b>The puck drops at 7:00 PM St Louis time tonight, and the GameDay Thread should drop shortly beforehand. This is a national television broadcast, so enjoy the creative pronunciations of NBC Sports Network tonight. The radio call will be on KMOX 1120 as usual, and I expect there will be an uptick in listeners tonight. Please do drop by the GDT tonight, and in the meantime catch up on the latest episode of Beyond Checkerdome. Also, while we're bringing things back from the 80s and 90s..</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CApVLvd3E68" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>LGB!</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/6/11168770/step-by-step-blues-at-minnesota-wild-previewCrossCheckRaise2016-03-06T09:57:40-06:002016-03-06T09:57:40-06:00Blues At Wild Morning Open Thread: Regain Ground
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zpRwpeqdj6RxUw97hrtAohb536E=/0x0:3597x2398/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49007791/usa-today-8853559.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The three-way tie for first place in the Central has disappeared over the Blues' long break. Let's get it back.</p> <p>It's hard to argue that a nice long break doesn't benefit a hockey team. The coaching staff gets some time to sit back, think, and make tweaks where needed. The players get time to heal up. They get a chance to rest after an eleven round shootout that somewhere in a multiple dimension is still going on.</p>
<p>They also get a chance to evaluate their next opponent. These <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hockeywilderness.com/">Minnesota Wild</a> are not the same ones that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> defeated 4-1 back on February 6th. Mike Yeo's gone, replaced by John Torchetti. Torchetti has kick-started the Wild to a 7-2 record in his first nine games. That team that allowed three power play goals back in February is probably gone. The Blues shouldn't try to exploit the Wild's weaknesses; they need to play to their own strengths, like getting <span>Vladimir Tarasenko</span> the puck. Tarasenko has five goals and an assist over his last six games against the Wild.</p>
<p>This is your morning open thread. Check back for some Road Music from CCR, and your GDT at 7:00 CST. Don't forget, tonight's broadcast is NBCSN's Sunday night game. Adjust your DVRs accordingly.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2016/3/6/11168896/blues-at-wild-s-morning-open-thread-regain-groundhildymac