GDT Game 74: 3/23/18|7:00 PM CT|vs Canucks|FSMW/KMOX

[theohall]

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues' last three wins have followed the same script: trail by one goal in the third period, and get game-tying goal followed by the game-winner in overtime.

It might not be a strategy for long-term success, but for a team fighting for its playoff life, it is working just fine.

The Blues will need to keep those winning ways going as they host the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night.

"We can't do anything but worry about us," Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo told NHL.com. "We can't control what the other teams are going to do. So, if we keep winning hockey games, we'll have a good opportunity to get in."

Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins allowed the Blues (40-28-5) to climb within three points of the Anaheim Ducks for the second and final wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Blues have a game in hand over the Ducks.

"We know if we lose a game or lose a couple, we might be out of it," Blues goalie Jake Allen told NHL.com. "So it's just points right now. ... Whatever it takes right now, it's emotional games, no question. You need to take a deep breath and relax. They're a little different than a mid-November game for us. It's fun. We enjoy tonight and refocus again tomorrow."

The Blues have shown a much-needed resiliency during the stretch, played without leading goal scorer Vladimir Tarasenko (upper body), and overcoming a fluke goal for the Bruins that gave them a 1-0 lead in the first period.

"We knew (the resolve) was in there, but obviously we're finding it at the right time at least," Blues coach Mike Yeo told NHL.com.

It is the first time in franchise history that the Blues have won three straight overtime games and the first time they have won three straight when trailing at some point in the third period.

St. Louis has won four straight against Vancouver, including both earlier meetings this season. The Blues have gone 7-0-1 in their last eight games against the Canucks.

The Canucks will be playing the back-half of a back-to-back stretch and are coming off a 5-2 victory at Chicago on Thursday. Vancouver snapped a seven-game losing streak.

"It's always difficult when you don't win, but we've done some good things," Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler, who scored twice Thursday, told Canucks TV. "We've upped our battle a little bit in a few of those games and you've got to take those positive things with us, but it's nice to win."

Canucks center Bo Horvat scored his 20th goal of the season against the Blackhawks, tying his NHL high set last season.

"For it to mean something in a win and for us to play like we did tonight and finally get rewarded, all the bounces we've had as of late, it definitely gives us a little bit of confidence going into tomorrow," Horvat told Canucks TV.

[gaijin]

LA destroyed Colorado last night, which on the one hand helps the Blues get closer to the Avs in the Central, but also keeps them further out from breaking into the 2nd wild card spot.

Wild Card 23 Mar.jpg (62.07 KiB) Viewed 2231 times

Aside from Blues vs. Canucks tonight, there are two other games of interest:

Anaheim at Winnipeg- hopefully this is a win for the Jets, which would allow the Blues to edge closer to the Ducks and that 2nd wild card.

Boston at Dallas- hopefully the Bruins are pissed at losing to us and they take it out on the Stars. Due to their recent poor play, the Stars are (like the Blues) also on the outside looking in, but they're not dead yet, which still makes them dangerous.

Final thought- tonight is a big opportunity for the Blues. They better not piss it away.

[glen a richter]

I would have preferred a Colorado win, but this is the Blues we're talking about. Does anything, internally or externally, ever go right for them?

Should be an easy win tonight, so count on a decisive loss.

[tjk002]

I would have preferred a Colorado win, but this is the Blues we're talking about. Does anything, internally or externally, ever go right for them?

Should be an easy win tonight, so count on a decisive loss.

The Avs and the Wild have a pretty tough schedule to finish out the season. Minnesota has lost 3 out of 5 and has two games against Nashville, two against Dallas (desperation setting in), Boston, Anaheim, LA and SJ. That is a brutal finish.

Wouldn't surprise me to finish anywhere between 3rd and 9th.

[WaukeeBlues]

I would have preferred a Colorado win, but this is the Blues we're talking about. Does anything, internally or externally, ever go right for them?

Should be an easy win tonight, so count on a decisive loss.

Eh not necessarily. Canucks just beat up on the Blackhawks last night so maybe they're feeling it a little bit. I know the Hawks have all but packed it in but so have the Canucks, so...

Nothing is a given in this league and the Blues better not come out tonight like that's the case.

[gaijin]

I would have preferred a Colorado win, but this is the Blues we're talking about. Does anything, internally or externally, ever go right for them?

Should be an easy win tonight, so count on a decisive loss.

Eh not necessarily. Canucks just beat up on the Blackhawks last night so maybe they're feeling it a little bit. I know the Hawks have all but packed it in but so have the Canucks, so...

Nothing is a given in this league and the Blues better not come out tonight like that's the case.

Truth. They can't afford to look past the Canucks.

Sounds like Tarasenko will be back for tonight's game, so that should help.

[theohall]

Interestingly, the Blues haven't overlooked that many games against non-playoff teams this season.

Against teams currently not in the playoffs, the Blues are 22-9-1.

If you take out the teams actually competing for a playoff spot, still, but not in, yet (Florida and Dallas), those numbers improve 20-5-0.

They shouldn't overlook this one. But this is the Blues.

If Tarasenko is back, what are the odds the power play goes back to the totally dysfunctional 4 forward, single defenseman first unit?

[gaijin]

If Tarasenko is back, what are the odds the power play goes back to the totally dysfunctional 4 forward, single defenseman first unit?

I hope not. What was the power play- something like 75% while Tarasenko was out and Yeo put two defensement on the ice? Granted, 3 out of 4 is a pretty small sample size, but still- why wouldn't you keep going with it as long as the PPGs are coming?

[theohall]

If Tarasenko is back, what are the odds the power play goes back to the totally dysfunctional 4 forward, single defenseman first unit?

I hope not. What was the power play- something like 75% while Tarasenko was out and Yeo put two defensement on the ice? Granted, 3 out of 4 is a pretty small sample size, but still- why wouldn't you keep going with it as long as the PPGs are coming?

Because Mike Yeo.

Although - I suspect Tarasenko would get more chances if he were a wing on the 2nd unit, playing against the 2nd and 3rd tier PK units. Goes back to spreading your talent over both units, which Yeo still hasn't done continuing to roll out 71/21/23 as a 2nd unit. How many opportunities have they had and converted since the Stastny trade when it became the every game 2nd unit?

[theohall]

And.. per NHL Network

Yeo was considering keeping Dunn on 1st unit and moving Tarasenko to 2nd unit, but didn't like how the PP performed vs the Bruins, so.... it's back to the 3 goals in 33 chances 1st PP unit with 4 forwards and 1 D. #YeoMustGo

He gives a horrible unit 21 games, only busts them up due to injury, gives up on what worked after 1 game in which they didn't do well against one of the best defensive teams in the league, and puts back together the unit that was awful for those 21 games. Seriously??? WTF is this guy coaching in the NHL???

[theohall]

Look at that - nobody waiting for a stretch pass. All but one of the Blues 5 skaters moving up ice on transition with speed - and voila - right up the middle with speed and the D having to back off = Goal for Berglund.

Transition with speed creates opportunities.

[Robb_K]

That was a nice backhander by Berglund, after a beautiful feed by Pietrangelo. But, The Blues can't get comfortable with a 1-goal lead. They need to come out flying in The 2nd, and also get more movement on The Power Play. They've GOT to score the next goal (preferably during the remainder of last period's power play).

[Robb_K]

Shorty by Berglund on a fantastic play by Brodziak!!! Blues lead 2-0!!! Great momentum changer! Good kill, too!!!

[Robb_K]

The Blues are dominating this period, getting lots of good scoring chances (Even Thorburn is getting in on it!).

But now that got to kill off another penalty.

[Robb_K]

Dang! Just before Dunn could get back into the play, The Blues seem to lack enough energy or will to hang on as long as it takes till the danger is over. They seem to quit often, just bit too soon, seconds before the end of a period, or just before the penalty is over, or a couple seconds before or after. winning teams play through to the very end, and they have safe possession.

[Robb_K]

Better 2nd than first, but it's tainted by letting down, like the danger is over, as soon as a penalty is over, but BEFORE the penalized play can get back into the play.

[Robb_K]

Taraseko buries it on a feed from Schwartz!! Only 14 seconds into The 3rd!! Blues lead 3-1!!!

[Robb_K]

How did Schwart's shot not go in???

[Robb_K]

Jaskin bangs in a rebound right in front!!!! Blues lead 4-1!!!

[Robb_K]

Blues Win!!!! Blues Win!!! 41st win! 87 points!