Toronto Maple Leafs At St. Louis Blues Final Score: Leafs Win 3-2 In Shootout

Pure domination by the Blues for two straight periods was rendered for naught by Ben Scrivens, who looked as sharp tonight as any full-time starter. The third period had the Blues taking 16 shots to Toronto’s five, for a total of 29 shots in the final two periods. Unfortunately, the bad showing in the first period came back to haunt the Blues, who were only able to sneak one puck, shoved in by Patrik Berglund at the end of the third period, past the outstanding Scrivens.

Overall, though, the Blues seem much improved in a very short period of time. They play more confidently, with significantly more pressure and puck control. The improved control comes from holding off on the dump and chase, which never seemed to work – and frankly really isn’t a successful strategy for most teams. If they continue to play this way, the points will be more forthcoming. Passivity never got anyone anywhere.

Scrivens stoned Alex Steen, T.J. Oshie, and Matt D’Agostini on all three shootout attempts, while Phil Kessel and Mikhail Grabovski scored for the Maple Leafs. A win would have moved the Blues to third in the Central, but the tie brings them even with the Red Wings, who have played two fewer games than the Blues.

The next game in this extended homestand for St. Louis is Saturday night when former Blues captain Eric Brewer returns with his new team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Toronto Maple Leafs At St. Louis Blues Second Period Score: Jason Arnott Scores, Blues Down 2-1

The Blues outshot the Maple Leafs 14-5 in the second period, giving a performance as solid as the first period’s was uninspired. Constant pressure and a huge presence around the crease for the Blues were two things that Hitchcock must’ve yelled at them in the locker room to do, because they’re doing it. Frankly, the only reason the game isn’t tied – or the Blues aren’t in the lead – is because the bounces’ve been terrible or the shots have been wide.

Jason Anott snuck in front of Toronto goalie Ben Scrivens as the Blues were on the power play thanks to a slashing call on Dion Phaneuf. His snap past the glove of Scrivens cut the deficit to one. It appears that Hitchcock’s tweaks on the power play are continuing to work, or else Toronto’s penalty kill is just going through a very bad patch recently. Hopefully both, because if the Blues continue this pressure through the third, they’ll tie it up in no time.

The period ended with a bit of a scrum between Barret Jackman and Dion Phaneuf. It should make for an interesting opening bit of the third period, to say the least.

Toronto Maple Leafs At St. Louis Blues First Period Score: Leafs Up 2-0 On Leafs Power Play Goals

Tuesday night’s penalty kill was outstanding, partially because the Blackhawks have worked their power play way down to the 30th place in the league. The Maple Leafs, however, rank a little higher, at 21st overall. Apparently those nine spots made the Blues’ PK units forget how to defend, or maybe made them take for granted the anemic performance of the Blackhawks.

Whatever the reason, they’ve taken the night off tonight, allowing the Leafs to go two for two on the PP after one period. Joffrey Lupul began the scoring 11:27 into the game, on a power play goal after Patrik Berglund was called for boarding Clarke MacArthur. At 17:02, Phil Kessel scored his league-leading 12th of the year after a tripping call that saw Matt D’Agostini head to the box. Some clearing of the crease might’ve helped on Kessel’s goal, but whatever the reason for it, I’m pretty sure that Ken Hitchcock’s giving them what for in the locker room. He fixed the power play in one game; let’s see if he can fix the penalty kill in one intermission.

Toronto Maple Leafs At St. Louis Blues: Leafs Going Without James Reimer

The Maple Leafs are short their starting goaltender James Reimer. They'll be offering up rookie Ben Scrivens to the St. Louis Blues instead.