Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove- USA TODAY Sports
After a thrilling 3-on-3 overtime, the Blues beat the Buffalo Sabres in a shootout. The Blues advance to 13-6-1 and remain second in the Central Division, five points behind Dallas.
The Blues hosted the Sabres in their first meeting of the season and after losing their last two games tallied two vital points.
Both teams came out slow to open. Five minutes into the first period, Tyler Ennis of the Sabres shoved Alex Pietrangelo into the boards earning himself a five minute major.
On the power play, Kevin Shattenkirk and Alexander Steen exchanged passes before Shattenkirk beat Linus Ullmark top shelf with a slap shot for a 1-0 lead.
However that lead wouldn’t last.
The Sabres entered the zone on a delayed Blues penalty. After Allen blocked Evander Kane’s wristshot from the point the Sabres recovered possession. Jack Eichel slapped the puck back to Rasmus Ristolainen, who settled and flung it on net. Allen’s left pad directed the puck to Sam Reinhart, who chopped it in.
Reinhart’s fourth of the season came 1:31 into the second.
On another power play, Steen found Vladimir Tarasenko open in the high slot, who capitalized. Tarasenko’s 12th of the season put the Blues up 2-1.
Then midway through the second, Ryan O’Reilly tied it up.
After a scoreless third period, a 3-on-3 overtime was needed. This was the most entertaining five minutes of hockey I have seen this season because there were multiple odd man rushes for both teams. Tarasenko had an opportunity the end it, but hit the post with 1:32 left.
Shootout:
Round 1
– Shattenkirk had Ullmark beat but shot the puck too early.
– Ryan O’Reilly’s backhand was caught by Allen.
Round 2
– Tarasenko tried the one-handed tuck-in move that worked against the Rangers and Wild last season, but Ullmark stayed with him.
– Tyler Ennis missed the net with a slap shot.
Round 3
– Steen slid one past Ullmark on his backhand.
– Evander Kane’s shot was deflected off Allen’s stick before dinging the crossbar.
The Blues won their 13th game of the season, improving their record to 13-6-1. Allen had 32 saves on 34 shots.
Detroit comes to town this Saturday, 7:00 p.m.
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