The St. Louis Blues gutted out a tight season-opener in Dallas, displaying a mix of the things they hope to implement this season and some of the weaknesses that held them back last year.
The result, a 2-1 shootout loss, confirmed little other than 3-on-3 overtime sucks, and the shootout is anticlimactic. This was a classic case of two teams trading moments and chances through 60 minutes — Jordan Kyrou set up Robert Thomas with a golden chance to win in the dying seconds — only to force us to watch a passive and cagey 3-on-3 OT followed by a practice drill in the shootout because the NHL demands someone be declared a “winner.”
[NHL Boxscore | Game Summary | Event Summary]
Blue Notes
- The new defensive approach was evident, though the shot ledger was still a lopsided 34-24.
- The power play was inert against the Stars’ aggressive penalty kill.
- The Blues nearly suffered an early backbreaker, giving up a power play goal with 12 seconds remaining in the first after wasting a couple power plays of their own. But the alert video team spotted a offside infraction on the zone entry, to the goal was erased. First challenge of the season, successful.
- Jordan Binnington was on. Great positioning. Great, swift, controlled movement. Great reaction saves too.
- The top trio was dangerous, though Jordan Kyrou also exhibited puzzling choices on the backcheck. Interesting and promising that Craig Berube put them out there in the final 30 seconds of a tied game; they almost rewarded him not just by holding the lead but by nearly winning it.
- Tyler Tucker ruined all your “first Blues goalscorer” bets with his second career goal.
- Tangential: The Stars have Matt Duchene now. That’s going to take some getting used to; still love that Barry Trotz returned to Nahsville to cast off their two star centers, and sign Ryan O’Reilly in their place.
All told, it was a completely acceptable effort and result for the season opener against a tough team that should contend for the division title. Both teams deserved a point and got a point, and one team had to get the bonus offering.
For the Blues, if they’re going to scratch and claw to some success this year, it will probably be through a lot of nights that look similar to this effort.