The Blues have a thing with one goal wins. A win is a win is a win, but you can’t expect to win every game without blasting away and converting on open net chances (Chris Stewart, I’m looking at you). Regardless, the Blues were defensively responsible enough to seal the deal and go into the Christmas break with 20 wins, 44 points, and the second slot in the Central Division.
Jason Arnott added a goal that would later become the game-winner at 1:48 of the first period. He was parked in front of the net far enough back to be out of Jason LaBarbera’s center of attention, and thwapped in a Kris Russell shot for his seventh goal of the year:
Things got a bit worrisome when, with less than six and a half minutes left, Keith Yandle blasted this slapshot past Brian Elliott. There was no way anyone could have had the reflexes to grab that puck – Elliott tried, but Yandle’s shot was a laser:
The Blues managed to hang on to win, despite being outshot 26-18. Evgeny Grachev, in tonight in place of an injured Ryan Reaves, had two assists on the evening and was a +1. Impressively, the Blue who led in ice time was veteran Barret Jackman with 21:02 worth of it.
The Blues can go into the holiday break feeling confident in their abilities, as can their fans. The next time they’re in action is Monday night at 6:30 against the Dallas Stars. That game, as well as the game the following evening against the Detroit Red Wings, are both televised on Versus. A Blues back-to-back on a national broadcast?
It’s a Boxing Day miracle.