Wild At Blues: Elliott Gets 6th Shut Out Of the Season, Blues Win 4-0

Brian Elliott didn’t have to work too hard for the Blues 12th shutout on the season. The Blues allowed only 13 shots on goal, and Elliott stopped every one of them en route to yet another shutout. That’s not to say that this afternoon’s game wasn’t without some excitement. In the first period you had Ryan Reaves’ surprising goal, and in the second period you get one from Barret Jackman (and Andy McDonald, which is less surprising). The third period? Who’s it gonna be?

Vladimir Sobotka, of course. He scored just his third goal of the year from David Perron’s laser of a pass:

It’s flabbergasting to think that’s Perron’s 16th assist of the season in just 33 games since his return from concussion. He’s 4th on the team in points in over 20 fewer games played than the three guys above him.

After Sobotka’s goal, the wheels came off the Wild and the frustration began to show. It’s understandable, considering the massive slide that they’ve undergone, but Warren Peters’ crosscheck of David Backes’ head was inexcusable and borne directly out of frustration. All you have to do is look at the third period penalties on the box score to understand what was going on. It’s not pretty. Peters more than likely will be getting a call from Brendan Shanahan to discuss his poor decision.

With the shutout, Brian Elliott solidifies his position at the tops of the NHL save percentage list, and re-gains the top of the league’s goals against average standings. He also has 6 shutouts, tying him with teammate Jaroslav Halak for the league lead.

Elliott will more than likely be in net tomorrow for the 11:3- game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Scramble some eggs, make some bacon, and get some bloody marys mixed up. Tomorrow is some brunch time hockey.

Wild At Blues: Blues Hit The Magic Three Goal Mark, Lead 3-0 After Two

There’s something to be said for the Blues: tenacity is their middle name, especially when it comes to players who usually don’t score but who contribute elsewhere on the ice. A great example of one of those players is defenseman Barret Jackman. Always willing to take one for the team or agitate other teams into penalties, Jackman hasn’t netted a goal for quite some time — since the 2009/2010 season, actually.

Apparently the Blues’ goal today is for goal scoring droughts to end, and Jackman’s does with some tenacious work and an unexpected blast past Josh Harding to put the Blues up 2-0:

Roman Polak, you’re next.

Actually, no, the next goal didn’t come from Polak but from Andy McDonald. He scored on a re-direct of an Alex Pietrangelo blast from the point on the power play to give the Blues a commanding 3-0 lead:

The Blues’ power play seems to be humming along as of late. The Blues are now 25th in the league and should surpass the Wild for 24th. Yeah, I know, that’s not much to write home about, but the Blues take what they can get when it comes to the PP. They have a large hole to dig themselves out of.

Wild At Blues: Ryan Reaves Puts St. Louis Up 1-0

If you had Ryan Reaves in your “first goal” pool, you might’ve just won big. He used to have a massive goal drought, but not anymore. He potted his first of the season against Josh Harding doing what he does best – creating space, plowing to the net, and scaring the bejesus out of the opposition. Witness:

He very nearly got involved in a scrum later, so if you have him in your Gordie Howe Hat Trick pool, bet more now.

Other than that, it was a fairly un-eventful first period. Blues are up 9-7 in SOG, and 1-0 on the scoreboard. Let’s see if that continues on.

Wild At Blues: Last Meeting Of The Season Promises A Close Game

When you thing "blowout," you certainly don't think of a Wild/Blues game. Tonight shouldn't be any different.