GDT Rd 2 Gm 7: 5/7/19 | 7 PM CT | vs STars | NBCSN|NHL-APP

[theohall]

It's a great debate before any Game 7: Which team has the advantage? Does it even matter?

As the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars prepare for Tuesday's winner-take-all deciding game of their Stanley Cup playoff second-round series, the easy theory would be the Blues have the upper hand.

It's the Blues who should have all the momentum, having taken Sunday's Game 6 by a 4-1 count. It's the Blues who will play host for the series clincher, with their rabid fans ready to back them with a berth in the Western Conference final on the line.

However, the Blues have only won two of six home games so far this postseason -- a stunning lack of home-ice success for a team that's one win away from reaching the Western Conference final.

"For me, it's even," Blues interim head coach Craig Berube said after Sunday's season-saving performance. "We're going into a Game 7. We've got to forget about this game, it's over with and we've got to prepare for a tough Game 7. That's the bottom line."

Curiously, the last time either squad played a Game 7 was against each other. St. Louis defeated Dallas 6-1 in the 2016 second round -- not that a game three years ago matters today.

"It's exciting," Stars captain Jamie Benn told NHL.com. "What a great opportunity in front of us, and for both teams, to go out there and battle it out for one game and winner take all."

Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop left Sunday's game shortly after he was drilled in the collar bone by a booming slap shot from Colton Parayko, a play in which the Blues scored while Bishop was writhing on the ice in pain, but on Monday Dallas coach Jim Montgomery said Bishop will play the biggest game of the season.

"He's fine. We just wanted to put (Anton Khudobin) in. He wasn't hurt. That's why we switched," Montgomery said.

Regardless of any off-ice events, the setting is set for a finale to a series that's delivered everything expected from the Blues and Stars -- intense, low-scoring games between two closely matched teams. So, it should be no surprise a seventh and deciding game is needed.

"It's a Game 7, we knew it was going to be a tight series," Stars forward Mats Zuccarello said. "If you want to go far in the playoffs, you usually have to go through some Game 7s. So we come back to work (Monday) and be excited for our opportunity to play in a Game 7."

If experience comes into play, the Blues did stave off elimination and have that positive experience to draw up.

"As down as a lot of people were after (losing Game 5), we can't get too high now. That's what it's all about." Blues forward David Perron said. "It's another exciting challenge next game. We're excited and we can't wait to get rested up and get ready to go to the morning skate and get ready to go for that next game."

[glen a richter]

Keys:

1. The Berube Blues, not the Yeo Blues have to show up.
2. Don't let the Stars get a shot advantage early in the game--every game they get down in shots early has ended in a loss
3. Shoot high glove side on Bishop early and often
4. Win in regulation. Veteran goalie who's also a Vezina candidate/shoo-in vs. rookie goalie regardless of how he's done since he got the reins, I don't like the Blues chances in overtime

[theohall]

5. Don't go looking for hits if it isn't getting them the puck. Puck possession first, hits only as a secondary concern. (See how much CBJ outhit BOS last night - didn't flipping matter, because the Bruins guy would take the hit only to see the puck going the other way. 2 of the 3 goals were almost immediately after really big hits by CBJ players behind the Bruins net).

[glen a richter]

Absolutely, there's stupid physical and there's smart physical. Sammy Blais demonstrated smart physical and was a difference maker in setting the tone of game 6. He should continue to do that if they want to move onto the WCF.

[gaijin]

Skate hard, make good passes. Don't suck.

[glen a richter]

Skate hard, make good passes. Don't suck.

That last part is basically the key to the whole game.

I became a Blues fan during the 92-93 season, aka the year Belfour lost his mind at the end of the 1st round sweep. I have a vivid recollection of round two against Toronto, winning game 6 to stay alive only to get positively whooped in game 7, 6-0. Let's not have a repeat of that.

[Portland Blues]

Expecting the worst hoping for the best.

[glen a richter]

Like I was saying about lopsided shots, let’s get it together, eh?

[Portland Blues]

Both teams look a little spastic so far.

[Robb_K]

Nice glove save by Binnington on a very close-in shot.

I like the energy The Blues are showing early. They've kept the game mostly in The Stars' end.

[Portland Blues]

Like to see a little more throwing the puck at the net instead of looking for the pretty goal.

[Portland Blues]

Yes!!!

[Robb_K]

Nice save by Binnington on that 2 on 1 chance!

Now Maroon redirects Dunn's drive into the net!!! Blues lead 1-0!!!!

[Portland Blues]

Patayko needs to keep unleashing bombs. Get to the point where people are afraid to be in the way.

[Portland Blues]

Shit, an assist by the ref.

[Portland Blues]

Well, I wish I could be excited about a power play. This would be a great time to finally make it work.

[Robb_K]

Nice defensive play by Blais to break up that 4 on 3 chance! Maybe we've seen the last of him just being an NHL fill-in?

Now The Blues draw a penalty! They need to score a power play goal!

[Portland Blues]

Another wasted power play.

[Portland Blues]

Here we go with another PP.

[Robb_K]

2 great saves by Binnington, keeping the score tied. And The Blues are back on the power play!