Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues Muster an Overtime Win Over the Anaheim Ducks, 2-1 OT

ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 16:

#4 of the St. Louis Blues is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in an NHL game on March 16, 2013 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Mark Buckner/NHLI via Getty Images)

St. Louis, MO – It was a rare occasion last night in St. Louis. The Anaheim Ducks (20-3-4) have been so good at winning the games where they’ve had the better of the play. You could argue that last night’s game could’ve gone either way, but it was a game that the Ducks definitely could’ve and maybe should’ve won. However, the St. Louis Blues (16-10-2) gutted out a nice overtime win with some great goaltending from rookie Jake Allen.

The scoring got started when Ducks defenseman Bryan Allen (3 A), no relation to the Blues goaltender, I think, like 99.9% sure, got his point shot through the screen and by Jake Allen. Allen, the Ducks Allen, got credit for the goal at first, but later in the game, the credit was changed to Saku Koivu (8 G) who had supplied the screen on the play. So, it must’ve hit his jersey or something as he jumped out of the shot. Bobby Ryan tripped Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk late in the first and the Blues had the first power play of the game. They could only get one shot on goal and the period ended 1-0 ANA.

The second period belonged to the Blues more than the Ducks. It was definitely the Blues’ best period. The second period saw a total of 22 shots on goal, 12 for the Blues and 10 for the Ducks. That total is more than the number of shots the Blues had all game (21). The second period also had it’s fair share of penalties (3). Daniel Winnik was the first to go when he got called for cross-checking Blues forward Matt D’Agostini. The Ducks killed that one off, but went to the box soon after when Matt Beleskey got sent off for interfering with Blues defenseman Ian Cole. The Blues would finally capitalize on this PP. Defenseman Kris Russell (1) took a pass off the boards from rookie forward Vladimir Tarasenko (7 A) and slapped one by Jonas Hiller. Once again, there was a screen in front  of the net. The Ducks finally got their first power play shortly after the Blues goal. David Backes (Yes! He’s on my fantasy team! PIM!) got sent off for hi-sticking (Bobby) Ryan.

The third period went scoreless. The Ducks got one power play when Patrik Berglund got called for hi-sticking Brandon McMillan. However, the Ducks couldn’t beat (Jake) Allen, even though they registered 3 shots on goal. The Ducks had the better of the play in the third period. (Jake) Allen made some very nice saves, including on opportunities from Beleskey and (Bobby) Ryan. Hiller, throughout the game, made some nice saves as well. This game had to be settled in overtime. Within the first minute of overtime, a Teemu Selanne pass was intercepted by Vladimir Sobotka (7 A), which led to a 2-on-1 with defenseman Roman Polak. Sobotka out waited both Selanne and Cam Fowler and then fed the puck to Chris Stewart (14 G) who then out waited Hiller and scored the overtime winner.

Thus ends the season series with the Blues. They won the final game, but the Ducks still win the series 2-1. Nothing to really complain about here. It was a good game where both teams had the right to win. (Jake) Allen was phenonemal and Hiller was solid as well. Some people were trying to complain about Selanne about his bad pass that led to the overtime game winner. Listen, the guy made one mistake. Yeah he hasn’t exactly been playing well. Maybe his years are finally catching up with him. But don’t just throw him under the bus for one bad mistake. David Steckel, in his debut, won 7 of 11 faceoffs and registered a shot on goal and a blocked shot. Nothing spectacular, but he wasn’t expected to. The faceoff battle was being dominated by St. Louis about halfway through the game, but the Ducks made it close in the end.

Three Stars:

1.

Jake Allen (W, 0.964 SV%)

2.

Kris Russell (G)

3.  Vladimir Tarasenko (A, 4 S)

This game broke Anaheim’s five game winning streak, but they do still have registered points in their last ten games. Their next game will be on Monday night when the San Jose Sharks drive down to visit HC. The Sharks got blasted by the Los Angeles Kings last night and then head coach Todd McLellan blasted them in the locker room. So, it should be an interesting game on Monday. The two teams have split their first two matchups this season with each team winning their home game.

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