The Blues absolutely ran over the Lightning in the second period, holding them to just two shots – and none in the last 14:04 of the period. Constant pressure by both the offense and defense, intelligent plays, smart passes, and neutralizing the Lightning’s big scorers are all helping the Blues make the Philadelphia Flyers’ technique look even more foolish than it was. You want to beat the Bolts? Dominate them.
The Blues have to give Mathieu Garon credit. He has been outstanding tonight and is the reason that this game isn’t 4-0. He has stopped 15 of 17 shots on goal, but that doesn’t tell the whole story of the constant pressure around the net, the shots off the pipes and crossbar, and the shots that went just wide on a perfect scoring chance.
Kevin Shattenkirk scored with just six seconds remaining in the second period to give the Blues their 2-0 lead. Alex Steen fed him an outstanding cross ice pass as they both plowed to the crease. Hopefully it just counts as an insurance goal as the Blues continue this strong play in the third period. Keep the Tampa Bay shots to a minimum, and the missed chances of the second period are just a thing of the past.