ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 16: Kris Russell #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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Mar 14, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues players celebrate after the game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Coyotes 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis, MO – The Anaheim Ducks wrap up this three game road trip tonight in St. Louis. The St. Louis Blues (15-10-2) came out of nowhere last season when Ken Hitchcock took the reigns and took the team to the top of the Western Conference. They have basically the same roster, but due to some injuries, this team has struggled at times to return to last year’s form. This is the third and final meeting of the season between these two teams, the Ducks won the first two (6-5 SO, 4-2). The Blues have won four of their last five, the one loss coming to the Ducks, including most recently, shutout performance over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Mar 14, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) reaches for the puck during the third period against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Coyotes 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The one thing that really helped propel the Blues to the elite of the Western Conference last year was the play of their two goalies. Both Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak put up ridiculous numbers. Elliott had a record of 23-10-4 with a 1.56 GAA and a .940 SV%, while posting 9 shutouts. Halak had a record of 26-12-7 with a 1.97 GAA and a .926 SV%, while posting 6 shutouts. Well, neither have returned to that form. Due to inconsistency and some injuries, rookie goaltender Jake Allen has made his NHL debut this season. Allen’s has been their best goalie so far. In just 8 games, he has a record of 7-1-0 with a 2.33 GAA and a .915 SV%, while posting 1 shutout. He will get the nod in net from Hitch. At just 22-years-old, Allen has shown very good technical skills. The one area that teams attack most is his glove hand, it’s his weakest area. But, this kid has some good potential who could become a franchise goalie for the Blues.

St. Louis has very good depth at the forward position. They are very solid down the middle with Alex Steen, David Backes, and Patrik Berglund. On the wing is where they currently have some injury problems. T.J. Oshie was day-to-day with an upper body injury, but was placed on IR earlier today.. Jamie Langenbrunner and former Duck Andy McDonald are all on injured reserve. Rookie Vladimir Tarasenko has been activated after suffering a concussion earlier this season and will return to the lineup today. Big, power forward Chris Stewart currently leads the Blues in points (26) and is tied with Berglund for the lead in goals (13). Stewart is a very big body who is extremely strong. Stewart, Backes and Steen are the hottest Blues right now. On the blue line, the Blues have two of the best young defenseman in the game. Alex Pietrangelo is an excellent all-around defenseman with excellent upside. Kevin Shattenkirk is more of an offensive-defenseman, but also with excellent upside. Both of them play a big part in the offense. Pietrangelo has recorded 5 G 13 A for 18 P and Shattenkirk has recorded 2 G and 17 A for 19 P. The rest of the defensive corps is a nice mixture of puck moving and stay-at-home defenseman.

Last season, the Blues finished 1st in the league in goals allowed per game, at just 1.87 GA/G. The team that finished 2nd had a GA/G of 2.07, just to give a clue on exactly how good they were last year. This year, not so much. At 2.89 GA/G, they rank just 22nd. Their offense has the reversed along with the goaltending. Last year, they scored 2.51 G/G (21st). This year, they have scored 3.00 G/G (7th). Tonight’s game will match two of the best power plays in the entire league up against each other. The Ducks are going at a rate of 25.6% (1st) and the Blues are going at a rate of 24.4% (3rd). The Blues, however, are slightly better than the Ducks on the penalty kill. Blues are 15th in the league in PK at 80.8%. Ducks are 26th in the league in PK at 78.3%.

Mar 6, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Andrew Cogliano (7) reacts during the game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Honda Center. The Ducks defeated the Coyotes 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Good teams find ways to win. That’s what the Ducks have been doing all season long. The goaltending play has been excellent with both Viktor Fasth, who looks to be absolutely fine, and Jonas Hiller both enjoying long streaks of good play. Fasth has a record of 10-1-1 with a 1.92 GAA and a .929 SV%, while posting 2 shutouts. Hiller has a record of 10-2-2 with a 2.56 GAA and a .922 SV%, while posting 1 shutout. However, Hiller has been absolutely phenomenal of late. He’s won four straight games allowing just four goals during that span and has posted a .965 SV% in that same span. Hiller will look to continue that streak tonight as he will start in net. Andrew Cogliano got off to a slow start offensively, but he is really turning it on lately. He has two goals in the last three and is now tied Ryan Getzlaf for the team lead in goals (10). Getzlaf continues to lead the team in points (31). Corey Perry is second on the team in points (24) but will miss tonight’s game while serving game two of his four game suspension for his hit on Minnesota Wild’s Jason Zucker. Both Brad Staubitz and Nick Bonino are still on the IR for the Ducks. Newcomer David Steckel will make his Ducks debut tonight and will center the fourth line.

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