– Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images
The team with the most opportunities doesn’t always get the win.
That was the story of the night at the Scottrade Center as the Boston Bruins outshot the St. Louis Blues 27-15, but the Blues capitalized on their opportunities.
After a disappointing loss to the Dallas Stars 4-1, the Blues exploded for four goals in the second period including two from Vladamir Tarasenko.
The Blues (80) sit just four points behind the Nashville Predators in the Central Division with a record of 38-16-4.
But Boston struck first in the opening 20 minutes of play. With 9:18 remaining in the period, Patrice Bergeron carried the puck through the neutral zone and sent an entry pass to Brad Marchard who fired a wrist shot past the glove of Jake Allen to put the Bruins ahead 1-0.
The Bruins recorded the first seven shots of the game and outshot the Blues 8-3 in the first period.
The second period was a different story.
Petteri Lindbohm scored his first career goal as he sent a one-timer past Malcom Subban on 4-on-4. Subban made his first start career start and failed to make the glove save on the play. The goal tied the game at one just :48 into the period.
A player’s first career start is usually one the player never forgets. But for Subban, it was one to forget.
Under four minutes later, Jay Bouwmeester sent a pass down by the side boards. Alex Pietrangelo one-timed the pass past Subban to give the Blues their first lead of the game with 15:34 remaining in the period.
The floodgates opened.
With 5:09 gone in the period, Alexander Steen gave T.J. Oshie the puck to the left of Subban. Oshie bested Subban with a shot just under the bar to make it 3-1.
The Blues scored three goals in 4:21 of play prompting Bruins Head Coach Claude Julien to make a change in between the pipes. Julien pulled Subban after allowing three goals on six shots.
Tuukka Rask entered the game and made some saves early for Boston, but it was not enough to hold of St. Louis’s attack.
The third best power play in the NHL took over as Steen recorded his second of three assists on the night. Steen sent a low shot from the point as Rask made the first stop. Unfortunately for Boston, the rebound went straight to the blade of Tarasenko who scored his 30th goal of the season.
Tarasenko added a goal in the third period for his team-leading 31st goal of the season with 8:15 remaining in regulation. Tarasenko now has 10 goals more than his previous career high and is tied for third in the NHL in goals behind Alexander Ovechkin (38) and Rick Nash (37).
The Blues look to keep up this momentum at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. CT.
