GDT Rd 1 Gm 2: 8/14/20 | 5:30 PM CT | vs Canucks | NHLN/FSMW/101ESPN

[theohall]

Losing the first game of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series doesn't put the defending champion St. Louis Blues on the ropes.

However, another defeat at the hands of the upstart Vancouver Canucks in Friday's Game 2 in Edmonton would have the Blues in a rough spot.

"We had three games to try and get our pace and we just weren't good enough," St. Louis forward Brayden Schenn said. "I don't think we were good enough as a team right from our exhibition game.

"We're going to continue to build here, get better, and try and wear 'em down. That's what the playoff series is all about. We've been in this situation before. Even all last year, we were down in some series. They're a good team over there. And we're gonna have to find a way to be better."

The Blues have dropped all five games -- counting an exhibition contest -- since resuming action after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the league in March. They were winless in the four-team round-robin tournament, a surprising development for the squad that was tops in the Western Conference when the league was paused in March.

There are myriad reasons for their struggles, among them being without a complete line of forwards in Ivan Barbashev, Sammy Blais and Alexander Steen while sniper Vladimir Tarasenko is trying to find his form following a shoulder injury in October.

A surprising trend has developed since the restart, as St. Louis has been outscored 9-0 in the third period -- including 3-0 in Wednesday's 5-2 setback to the Canucks.

"I liked our game (overall)," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "We made two mistakes in the third period and they both ended up in our net. I didn't like those mistakes and we have to stop those from happening."

Meanwhile, the Canucks are trending in the other direction.

Vancouver has won four straight games and looked stronger in each outing.

"You want to get up for the big games, you want to be a difference maker, especially at this time of year," said captain Bo Horvat, who scored twice in the series opener.

"You're playing the Stanley Cup champs, it's easy to get up for. These are the games you want to win."

And now the Canucks are bracing for an even more motivated Blues squad, which twice won series last year despite losing the opening clash.

"This series is not going to be easy," said Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom, who made 29 saves in the opener.

"It's going to be really tough. St. Louis is a great team, and we have to count on them coming really hungry for Game 2, and we have to step up our game as well and grow and keep building on what we started."

[gaijin]

For the love of God, don't suck.

[theohall]

Not having Steen and Barbashev really hurts the PK.

[WaukeeBlues]

Gotta be honest, this is the most nervous I've been for a Blues game in a long time. I don't care that "the games didn't matter" before, the reality is the Blues have lost 5 straight games, with a sh**y PK, taking a ton of penalties and getting blasted in the third period of each game.

They need to turn it around here quick. Not having any semblance of our usual 4th line doesn't help. I don't care how they do it, they just need to find a way to win tonight.

Blues 3
'Nucks 2

[theohall]

While the 3rd period crap is really concerning... this current losing streak (counting the exhibition game) ties the longest one they had during the regular season - 5 games. Following the last 5 loss streak, they won 8 straight. Hopefully, we'll see that again. One would have pointed out at the time, that win streak was against mostly non-playoff teams, but under the current situation, the Rags and Devils were the only non-playoff teams.


But... I still believe this format is unfavorable to the Blues in terms of the team getting up to speed with playing the system.

[Robb_K]

The Blues are playing like they are serious about trying to win this one. And they're on the power play, early.

[Robb_K]

Good kill, and now they're back on the power play! But Horvat scores deking and skating around Schenn, and then Schwartz, negating The Blues' good start.

[flyingnote38]

anytime the Blues want to start playing hockey again would be good
seem completely unable to generate any offense so far this series
I mean the Caunucks gift Tank a pass wide open in the slot and he can't even hit the fricking goal

[Robb_K]

Tarasenko was all alone in the perfect spot right in front, and didn't even get his shot on net! He's still FAR from being in his normal comfortable groove!

[flyingnote38]

we need to start declining power plays

this is pathetic

[Robb_K]

The Blues are still not sending players towards the net on the power play. And they pay the price with Miller coming out of the box taking a stretch pass for the breakaway. But luckily, Miller entered the zone offside.

[Portland Blues]

Lucky break that 2nd Vancouver goal was offsides.

[Robb_K]

FINALLY The Blues have players near the net when a shooter is shooting, giving O'Reilly a rebound opportunity,- then Pietrangelo hit the crossbar, and later, Parayko had a good hard shot on a good chance. They didn't score. But, at least, they're playing now!

[flyingnote38]

Faulk can't shoot
team not passing, not shooting
being out skated and out worked

[Portland Blues]

2-0 Canucks.

[flyingnote38]

well at least we got a shot on that PP and didn't give up a shortie

[JCShutout]

Blues just don’t seem to have it. Pity. They looked like a legit contender before the break.

[Portland Blues]

Blues just don’t seem to have it. Pity. They looked like a legit contender before the break.

[Portland Blues]

Holy crap we scored on a power play.

[Robb_K]

O'Reilly fakes the shot moves to his left and flips the puck by Markstrom!!! Blues cut the lead in half, 1-2!!!