– Photo by Ryan Leopando / Arch City Sports
What do Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, Dmitrij Jaskin, Magnus Paajarvi and Jake Allen have in common aside from getting their paychecks from the St Louis Blues? None of them were alive when New Jersey Devil’s forward Jaromir Jagr was drafted into the NHL.
The Blues headed to New Jersey Tuesday night to finish up a two game road trip against the Devils. New Jersey is coming off a win Saturday at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a game they won 3-2. The Devils are riding a modest two game winning streak, but were slaughtered a week ago by the Pittsburgh Penguins 8-3. The Blues, on the other hand, are playing their best hockey of the year. St Louis enters this matchup in the midst of a five game winning streak, thanks in large part to wing-man Vladimir Tarasenko. Tarasenko has six goals and two assists over his last four games. Jake Allen was starting in net tonight to give Brian Elliott the night off. Allen was phenomenal his last time between the pipes, tossing a shutout against the Ducks last Thursday.
The Blues found themselves in hot water early as goalie Jake Allen was called for tripping against Michael Ryder. Vladimir Tarasenko would serve the time for Allen’s crime and sit for two minutes. St Louis’ penalty kill unit started off on a good note as they succeeded in killing the penalty.
With three seconds left on the clock, Devils’ forward Dainius Zubrus was sent to the penalty box for hooking Jori Lehtera. The Blues would get their first power play chance of the night and start out the second period with a one man advantage.
Both squads put nine shots on net in the opening frame. Tarasenko was credited with two shots, but had a breakaway chance early and pulled the shot wide to the left, missing everything but the glass.
The second period began with most of a power play left for the Blues. As the advantage died down, Patrik Berglund let loose a wrister from the high slot that banged off the post. Each team was unsuccessful on their opening power plays.
5:15 into the second period, Kevin Shattenkirk was whistled for interference, giving New Jersey their second power play of the night. Killing penalties has been St Louis’ Achilles heel this season, but you wouldn’t know it early in this match. The Blues penalty kill unit stopped their second Devils’ power play in as many chances.
At the 11:12 mark in the second, Adam Larsson committed a holding penalty against Joakim Lindstrom, giving the Blues their second power play of the night. New Jersey’s penalty kill kept pace with St Louis’, killing it seamlessly.
The game remained scoreless through two periods. Both teams were playing a clean, crisp match. New Jersey did have the edge in the shots department however, 21-17.
4:38 into the third frame, the Blues benefitted from a holding call against Marek Zidlicky. As soon as the power play began, it ended. Vladimir Tarasenko received a pass along the boards on the right side from Jori Lehtera, moved towards the circle, and snapped the puck passed Cory Schneider to give the Blues a one goal lead. Nobody on the ice was happier to see that goal than goalie Jake Allen, who was on his way to his second consecutive shutout.
The Devils got an opportunity shortly after, as Chris Porter was hit with a two minute tripping minor. The Blues were tasked with killing their third penalty of the contest. The struggling Blues penalty kill unit stood their ground once more, making it three-for-three to his point in the game.
With a minute and a half left in regulation, Patrik Elias came off the bench and Cory Schneider went off the ice as the Devils were going with the extra attacker. The six on five advantage for the Devils wouldn’t matter in the end. It almost seemed like it could have been ten against five. Nobody was getting anything passed Jake Allen on this night. The Blues would win their sixth game in a row.
Vladimir Tarasenko finished the night netting his eighth goal of the season. His stat sheet just doesn’t show how great he was tonight. He was inches away from scoring at least two more goals. Jake Allen denied all 26 shots against him as he tossed his second consecutive shutout.
The loss drops the Devils to 6-4-2. St Louis improves to 8-3-1 and pick up their 16th and 17th points of the season.
The Blues will head back to St Louis and open up a five game home stand this Thursday against the team they beat tonight, the New Jersey Devils. The puck drops at 7 PM CST and can be seen regionally on FS-MW, nationally on the NHL Network, or heard on KMOX 1120.
