There’s an implosion, and there’s tonight. Regardless of if they’re tired of playing back to back games (as did the Red Wings) or if they’re worn out because they were down to five defensemen thanks to a Kris Russell injury, the Blues absolutely quit in the third period, and allowed the Red Wings a wide open period with which to roar back and knock off the Blues 3-2, climbing ahead of St. Louis by one point in the standings.
Pavel Datsyuk, shortly after an elbow to the face of Barret Jackman, tapped in a rebound of an Ian White shot at 11:19 into the period. Niklas Kronwall iced it with the game winner, a sneaky wrister that Elliott didn’t see thanks to Carlo Colaiacovo screening his own goaltender.
Jimmy Howard has to be given praise for his stellar play tonight. After his second goal allowed, he clamped down, made some fantastic saves, and completely won Detroit the game. It also helped that St. Louis managed just three shots on goal the third period to Detroit’s 13, which is inexcusable.
Thankfully the Blues’ll have the chance to come with Oshie (and hopefully Russell) back on Saturday night, as ringing in 2012 with a win’d be swell. We’re back on FoxSports Midwest on Friday as the Blues square off with the Nashville Predators at Scottrade.