Blessedly, the last period was free of goals against the Blues. Blessedly, because they gave the Wild more than enough chances to score courtesy of listless play and a myriad of turnovers at the top of the Blues’ own zone. Their inability to clear the zone – not just with pressure, but at all – hindered the Blues. Halak played well all night, but the goal support wasn’t there to back him up.
Jamie Langenbrunner scored the Blues’ only goal of the night, his first as a Blue, by being close enough to Harding to tap in a rebound stick-side on the seemingly impenetrable Wild goaltender. One goal was nice, but forcing OT would have been better. The Blues need to stop choosing times when they play hard – the last minute of the game isn’t the most opportune time to select. The whole game would be more appropriate.
Halak stopped 24 of 26 shots, while Harding stopped 30 of 31 tonight. The Blues next play Tuesday night against the Blackhawks; they are also honoring Igor Korolev and Pavol Demitra that evening.