Game Recap: Niklas Backstrom Shines, Blues Beat The Wild 4-1
98. Final. 4. 99. 1
Jason Zucker scored late in the first; however, the St. Louis Blues would go on to steamroll the Minnesota Wild in a physical, penalty-ridden game, beating the Wild 4-1.
The St. Louis Blues played their typical hard-nosed, intimidating fashion against a roster filled with Minnesota Wild youngsters looking to make their way on to the 23-man roster. Niklas Backstrom posted his best pre-season game yet and Jason Zucker looked good despite the loss, as the rolling Blues beat the Wild, 4-1 in St. Louis. It was announced earlier this week that Backstrom would play the full 60 minutes tonight. Here are my thoughts:
First Period Thoughts:
The Wild’s top line for the night, consisting of Nino Niederreiter, Erik Haula, and Charlie Coyle opened the game with Keith Ballard and Christian Folin as the defensive pairing. The ensuing shifts would be controlled by the Blues, registering 4 shots in 2:45. Joel Rechlicz, the big enforcer recalled from the Iowa Wild this week, took a double minor for roughing Ryan Reaves. Although Reaves would also take a roughing minor, Zack Phillips would serve one of Rechlicz’s roughing minors, sending St. Louis to the power play. The Wild would kill the penalty, allowing zero shots. The game would only get rougher. With the Wild still looking for their first shot on goal, Blues captain David Backes would go to the bin for interference, a penalty drawn by a buzzing Christian Folin. On the ensuing power play, Folin would register the Wild’s first three shots on goal, all turned away by Jake Allen. It took 9:26 for the Wild to register their first shot on goal. The Wild maintained zone pressure, drawing a second power play as Alex Steen hooked Cody Almond. Just 40 seconds in, Michael Keranen would negate the power play, slashing Alex Pietrangelo. The ensuing 4-on-4 and 40 seconds of Blues power play yielded very little, with the exception of a few shots by the Blues.
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Remember how I said the game would only get rougher? Just 2 seconds after a face-off in the Wild defensive zone,
(who is worth a follow on twitter) of the Blues would get in to a scrum with
and both would head to the box with fighting majors. St. Louis would manage a few shots before the Wild cleared the zone and forced a St. Louis icing. A neutral zone tie-up would follow causing the Wild to enter the offensive zone Offsides.
would win the ensuing face-off and dump the puck in to the defensive zone. Zucker would fight for the puck on the boards, chase down Berglund, pick his pocket, spin free, and score. It was a beautiful play that required speed, tenacity, and smarts. 1-0 Wild at 19:08. See for yourself.
The Wild headed to the locker room up 1-0, but the Blues beat the Wild in shots and face-off wins. Backstrom looked good all period and solid defensive play in front of him certainly helped.
Shots after first period: Wild 4, Blues 11
Second Period Thoughts:
Minnesota managed early offensive zone pressure with three shots on goal and a few more blocked by St. Louis.
2:44 in, Rechlicz and Reaves would again scuffle, this time drawing fighting majors. Rechlicz looked fired up all game and seems to add the grit the Wild were looking for; especially against a stacked Blues squad.
Just less than 6 minutes in, Justin Falk would take a tripping minor against St. Louis’ T.J. Oshie. The Wild penalty kill looked good again, limiting the Blues man advantage to one shot on goal.
Patrik Berglund would tie things up for the Blues just after the power play expired. Blasting a one-timer from the left face-off circle thanks to a beautiful pass by Alex Pietrangelo. 1-1 tie 7:55 in to the middle frame.
It wouldn’t take long for another brawl to breakout. Bissonnette would drop gloves with Justin Falk after a face-off (See a trend here?) both would serve 5 minute majors. Rechlicz would jump in to the scrum, taking a 2 minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 10 minute misconduct. All together, Blues power play for two minutes. No conversion for the Blues, but they would go on to dominate the middle frame, causing the Wild to ice several times and barely escape the defensive zone intact. Backstrom stood on his head through the frame, which would keep the Wild in the game, tied 1-1.
Shots through two periods: Wild 10, Blues 23
Third Period Thoughts:
Final frame. Wild tied 1-1. More penalties in minutes than shots on goal for the Wild. The Wild would try to put it away early, but an aggressive Blues squad would again dominate their offensive zone and force the Wild to ice. Minnesota native and Blues forward
put the Blues ahead 5:33 in to the third with a quick snap shot from the base of the face-off circle that beat Backstrom glove side. 2-1 Blues. Vladimir
earned the assist and had quite the game.
Matt Dumba, who otherwise had a good game, took a high-sticking penalty. I can’t say enough about the Wild PK this game. They had plenty of opportunities to flex their muscle and didn’t disappoint. Keith Ballard and Kevin Shattenkirk would fight toward the end of the third, with Ballard serving a major for fighting and two minors. Shattenkirk would serve a misconduct, a fighting major, and a roughing minor. Penalty filled game.
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Bleedin' Blue
Oshie would pull the Blues away with their only power play goal of the night on their 6th chance, burying a Paul Stasny pass from just off the goal mouth. 3-1 Blues at 17:09
Minnesota won the following face-off and put a butter soft shot on goal to freeze play in their offensive zone. Backstrom to the bench, extra skater on. Unfortunately, the powerful Blues outmatched the Wild and David Backes buried an empty netter at 18:31. 4-1 Blues. Game over save for Rechlicz and Reaves scrapping after the final horn.
Final shots on goal: Wild 15, Blues 37
Trembley’s Take:
What a penalty riddled game. The Blues are a tough team and the addition of Paul Stasny is only going to help them down the stretch. I’m not entirely sure the Wild can out-physical the Blues but they gave it their best go. I really liked Folin for the Wild. The Wild can’t win with 15 shots on game and one player with 23 minutes in penalties. Backstrom kept the game competitive for Minnesota and played like the all-time leader in wins for our Wild. Oh, wait. He is. With the way Backstrom has played, I find it hard to imagine that Ilya Bryzgalov will stay on the Wild roster past the pre-season.
Wild are now 2-2-1 in the pre-season and will face St. Louis at the X on Saturday for their final exhibition game
My Wild 3-Stars
1) Niklas Backstrom: 33 saves on 36 shots for a 0.917 save percentage. Great for a guy who was sub 0.900 last season. Backstrom made some great saves throughout the game. His rebound control wasn’t great, but it’s pre-season and he’s got some rust to shake off.
2) Christian Folin: 23:49 of ice time, 4 shots on goal, 1 blocked shot, and no giveaways. Dumba and Folin have both shown their worth as defenders for the Wild. Ballard may suddenly find himself as 7th defenseman. The Wild have a tough decision to make, but I don’t think there’s a bad outcome in either choice.
3) Jason Zucker: Responsible for the Wild’s only goal and two shots, Zucker led all forwards in shots on goal (tied with Charlie Coyle who had an otherwise boring game.) I like Zucker. I don’t see how he doesn’t make the opening night roster.
Who was your Wild star? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest from GPW!