Jackets fans couldn’t help but be pleased with the first period against the Blues following a key win over Phoenix. Jackets controlled play and were rewarded with a 2-0 lead going into 1st intermission. Sadly, Hitchcock and crew made the necessary adjustments and put up 6 unanswered goals to finish the rout 6-2. This is where I’ll invoke the ‘gotta have a short memory’ cliche and say that the Jackets simply need to put this one behind them before they’re even done removing their skates and start focusing on getting the all-important 2 points from the Rangers on Monday night in a Metro-division matchup.
3rd Star: VLADIMIR TARASENKO
Since this kid broke into the league there are few young players as exciting to watch as Tarasenko. He’s certainly displayed his youth at times but as a Blues fan you have to feel good about the core of your team moving forward. His 2nd assist was a particularly spectacular bullet of a pass to the front of the net.
2nd Star: VLADIMIR SOBOTKA
Sobotka’s goal was the product of generating traffic towards the net and being mindful of rebounds and player positioning. I expect he’ll continue to be paired with Tarasenko for a while as the two have some undeniable chemistry. Without question, the 2nd star of the game.
1st Star: PATRIK BERGLUND
Berglund’s first goal to break the seal on St. Louis scoring may as well have been a cannon ball through the Blue Jackets’ collective psyche. After that goal, the Blues never looked back and simply imposed their will on the Jackets for the remaining 40 minutes.
Stud
I’ll give a nod of the cap to the team playing with more discipline and only getting called for two penalties, only one of which resulted in a Blues power play. For all the things we did poorly against the Blues tonight, not giving the 4th ranked power play in the league any additional opportunities with the man advantage was a step in the right direction.
Dud
Pretty much the last 40 minutes. We couldn’t take the zone. Passing was listless. McElhinney allowed bad rebounds. We allowed more shots in the 2nd & 3rd than we put on net the entire game. I’m content to forget this evening’s game and hopefully the Jackets will too as they head to Madison Square Garden to square off against the Rangers.
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