GDT #59: 2/16/16 | 7:00PM CST | v Stars | NBCSN/KMOX

[cprice12]

Got to see this one in person. The offense looked OK, but I thought the defense did a pretty good job preventing Dallas from getting many quality scoring chances. And Elliott was great again. He wasn't too busy tonight, but he did make some big saves.

Dallas had some good chances...but Elliott was in great position all night long. He took away everything...well, almost everything.

Dallas' only goal was because of a mishandle in front of the net. I forget who it was who had the puck in the slot, but he made a move and tried to shoot but it slid off his blade right to the Stars player at the side of the net who had an open side and put it in. The NBCSN guys kept saying "what a pass from so and so" but it wasn't a pass, he whiffed on a shot and it happened to work out. Pretty lucky if you ask me. But then again, our 2nd period goal was lucky as well. So...it evened out.
It was kind of fitting this game went into OT. It was a pretty even game...even both regulation goals were on the flukey side. Both goalies played well.
I didn't have a problem with any of the penalties, except for the slash on Gunnarson. Yeah, he broke the guy's stick, but it was such a weak slash. His stick had to have been weak there already. That was nothing.
Crazy amount of high sticking penalties...wow.
I DID have a problem with the no call when...I forget who it was...was interfered with in the corner, and that was right after the slashing call against the Blues. That was a bad miss.

And on the play where everyone thought Shattenkirk's stick was slashed and broken, but it was broken on the shot that hit his stick. He then leaned on it to check it and it broke and he threw it down. He wasn't slashed by anyone.

[ecbm]

I'm not trying to be too harsh with the way the Blues are winning lately

No need to say that at. If Elliott isn't channeling early-career Sawchuk recently the Blues would be plunging down the standings.

Actually I'm fairly awake. After dealing with Ian's colic for about the entire first year, I'm battle hardened. Kyle, thus far, is proving to like sleeping a lot more, knock on wood.

Glad to hear it, glen. I missed you on the other thread: congratulations!

[cprice12]

I'm not trying to be too harsh with the way the Blues are winning lately

No need to say that at. If Elliott isn't channeling early-career Sawchuk recently the Blues would be plunging down the standings.

Agreed.
But on the other side of the coin, you could take away any team's catalyst and they'd likely be worse off in the standings.

Now...with that said, I just don't want the Blues to think they can do this 1-0, 2-1 thing in the playoffs. I mean, maybe they can, but to not aggressively try to improve the offense between now and the deadline would be a huge mistake...no matter how many wins they keep putting up. I know we won't hear about a lot of the conversations that never result in a trade...but you have to think Armstrong is exploring all options to make the offense better...because if he's not, then what good is he? It is so glaringly obvious what we need.

[dern17]

Was the fan that got hit by the puck ok? Thought I saw someone walking up the steps with a towell on their head. Pierre made it sound bad, and the players standing around seemed scary.

[gaijin]

Was the fan that got hit by the puck ok? Thought I saw someone walking up the steps with a towell on their head. Pierre made it sound bad, and the players standing around seemed scary.

From where I was, it looked like he had a towel against the side of his head, but walked out under his own power, so that's a good sign.

[theohall]

I didn't have a problem with any of the penalties, except for the slash on Gunnarson. Yeah, he broke the guy's stick, but it was such a weak slash. His stick had to have been weak there already. That was nothing.

I DID have a problem with the no call when...I forget who it was...was interfered with in the corner, and that was right after the slashing call against the Blues. That was a bad miss.

And on the play where everyone thought Shattenkirk's stick was slashed and broken, but it was broken on the shot that hit his stick. He then leaned on it to check it and it broke and he threw it down. He wasn't slashed by anyone.

Agreed on all, with one exception. The late hooking call on Fabbri was a joke. Fabbri had both hands on his stick, touches the guy's side - never hooks him at all - and the dude literally dives forward with nothing actually touching him when he dives. Horrible call that should draw an embellishment fine. No, players don't have to be called for embellishment to be fined for it.

On the lack of offense thing, this game was played differently from the last 2. The Blues seemed more focused on covering their men defensively and waiting for opportunities, vice taking chances in the neutral zone and hoping the D could handle it. Of course, playing one of the top scoring teams in the league might have had something to do with that shift in focus. Let's see what happens vs Arizona.

2-1 and 1-0 games are what we will likely see in the playoffs and are good results when playing the top playoff caliber teams this season.