GDT Game 1: 10/4/17 | 7:00 PM CT | @ Penguins | NBCSN/KMOX

[cardsfan04]

I wasn't able to follow the game closely, but had it on in the background. Seemed like they played ok. Really impressed that we didn't collapse after allowing them to tie it. Would have been easy to do. Imagine the feeling today if we only got 1 point out of a game that we led 4-2 midway through the 3rd period.

[StL_Dan]

2 on 0 with Schwartz and Parayko all alone, how do they not score???

Schwartz elected to take the shot, but in hindsight, was wondering if a last second pass back to Parayko would have been the higher pctg scoring opp. Idk....

17 played well, but he had several scoring opps and couldn't quite put the biskit in the basket. I loved his energy and creativity all game long, though. If he finds consistency in that, he'll score plenty of goals this season.

Parayko is an offensive play making stallion. The way he enters the zone with the puck seemingly taped to his stick is really impressive. And, his defensive prowess is equally good. He had one slip up (pardon the pun) last night in the defensive zone that led to the Pens 2nd goal, but, I can live with an occassional oops from 55. One of the best D men I've ever seen play. So cool under pressure.

#rambling

[WaukeeBlues]

Watched almost all the game. Pietrangelo is such a good defenseman. Not even considering his two goals, the guy is just silky smooth, made every single play tonight. One penalty was the only blemish on his entire game.

Allen was huge. Starting off the season well, good to see. At least two of those goals there was nothing any goalie could've done (the 5 on 3 and then the backdoor right after).

Schwartz and Schenn have an undeniable chemistry out there, you can see it already.

Didn't notice Dunn much. Best compliment for a rookie defenseman in his first game.

Don't mind giving up the "bonus point" to an Eastern Conference team. So long as we got the 2. But against western competition we need to finish that off in regulation. Glad for the W though!

[StL_Dan]

Petro and Parayko.....wow....we are fortunate

Best two D men on this team since Prongs and Mac.

[theohall]

Giving up that 2 goal lead to the Penguins in the 3rd...

That's basically what the Penguins did to every team in the league at some point last season. Play close, but not necessarily win the 1st two periods. Then, play strongest in the 3rd and win that period to try and win the game. Almost worked for them, again.

[theohall]

Looking over the goals again - defense matters in all five of them...

The 3 obvious ones with #27's two goals and #55's goal.

The not as obvious ones.

Schenn's goal - look where Gunnarson gets his assist from on the Schenn goal - at the left side of the net just outside the blue paint.

Stastny's goal - massive screen by Joel Edmundson directly in front of Murray.

This is a distinct departure from last season when we rarely saw defensemen that deep in the offensive zone and the only times it did happen then were covering for line changes or on power plays. If this is the way the Blues will play offensively this season, it bodes well for this team when the injured guys come back. What's nuts is this style of play is exactly the style of play which would have taken advantage of Shattenkirk's skill last season.

[glen a richter]

This team drafted precisely to have the defense contribute as two-way defenders. Playing any other type of system is nonsense and counterproductive.

When Walman gets his turn (I think Schmaltz will be the odd man out and trade bait if we need to put a package together in the future, and Bouwmeester/Gunnarsson will be gone before long), the top 6 will all be top 4 capable. Stick with letting them play a two way game and watch the goals roll in.

[theohall]

Schmaltz got a chance last season to see what it takes to play at an NHL playoff level. This pre-season, he wasn't even playing at an NHL pre-season level. IMO, the only way Schmaltz gets another shot this season is if he is playing so lights out at the AHL level he can't be ignored or someone gets injured. And then, he has to prove he can play well at the NHL level. So - yeah - odd-man out until next camp, unless he gets traded. Dunn beating him out isn't that surprising. He is considerably better in his own zone from the little I saw and last season, Walman was considered ahead of Schmaltz in terms of defensive zone play, too. Only issue is Walman and Dunn are both LD, not RD.

The issue is RD depth at the prospect level - there's only Schmaltz, Vanelli, and Hakanpaa. The Blues could just as easily replace Bortuzzo with a veteran D whose a 5th/6th type guy who can defend well, instead of promoting Schmaltz. With Pietrangelo and Parayko on the roster for years, there isn't a lot of space for RD which can't be filled with a low cost vet or even a future draft pick.