The Blues defeated former coach Ken Hitchcock’s Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday in Edmonton 4-1. David Perron opened the scoring eight minutes into the 1st period, beating Cam Talbot high blocker with a goal scorer’s shot off the post. Talbot was slightly off his angle and Perron took advantage.
The Oilers tied the game a little over 7 minutes into the 2nd period when Jesse Puljujarvi scored on a screened shot through Robert Bortuzzo. The Blues originally thought the play was offside and challenged the play but were wrong as the player had gotten fully into the bench before the Oilers entered the zone. The Blues showed some mental fortitude with a big penalty kill after the failed challenge.
The Blues killed the most of two more penalties before the 2nd period was over and entered the 3rd period tied with the Oilers 1-1.
Pat Maroon would get the game winning goal just over two minutes into the 3rd period. Robert Thomas made a great individual play driving to the net and Maroon was able to push the puck over the line.
The Blues received a 3 minutes power play about 9 minutes later as a result of a major penalty to Jujhar Khaira for cross-checking Vine Dunn. Dunn received a minor penalty for cross-checking on the play. The play started with Khaira leaving his feet to check Dunn in the corner. Dunn took exception and cross-checked Khaira who retaliated with a more dangerous cross-check to Dun’s head. Later, Dunn received a fine and Khaira a two game suspension for their actions. On the ensuing power play, Vladimir Tarasenko scored this goal:
Jaden Schwartz later added an empty net goal to end the game 4-1.
Jake Allen stopped 22 of 23 shots, making Allen 3-0-0 with a 96.2% save percentage in his last three road games. Connor McDavid was held to one shot on goal and no points
Tonight the Blues will be in Vancouver looking to avenge their December 9th, 6-1 loss to the Canucks. Stopping super rookie Elias Pettersson who had 5 points in that game will be key. A win tonight over the Canucks would give the Blues a higher points percentage than he Canucks and move them seven points back of Edmonton, the last wild card team, with 2 games in hand. The Canucks are 8-8-1 at home.
The Blues are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games against the Canucks and are expected to come back with the same linenup:
Schwartz - Schenn - Tarasenko
Steen - O'Reilly – Perron
Maroon - Bozak - Thomas
Nolan - Barbashev - Sundqvist
Edmundson - Parayko
Bouwmeester - Bortuzzo
Dunn - Butler
Allen
The Blues need to earn 69% of their remaining points in order to reach 99 points. They currently are earning 46.9%.
NHL Champions for Charity
We’ve gotten some traction on the charity wager among the Central Division bloggers. More on that to come.
It’s a great day for hockey.
St Louis Blues Blogger • 
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