BLUES VS. RANGERS
When: Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m.
Where: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO
Watch: Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports app
Listen: Q94
Tickets: Buy online at ticketmaster.com
It was an eventful night in New York City last week when the St. Louis Blues took on the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
A nationally-televised game between two Top-10 teams at the most famous arena on the planet, the matchup had the makings of a marquee night in an exciting NHL season.
With Pavel Buchnevich geared up to face his former team for the first time since being traded last summer, the Blues were hungry for a win in the Big Apple.
Down 2-0 with three minutes to go in the second period, the Blues lit ablaze. Brandon Saad made a beautfiul backhand pass to Ryan O’Reilly on a rush, and the Blues captain finished high to get the Blues on the board. The Blues’ next shot attempt evened the score when Jordan Kyrou made a long pass from the defensive zone to an all-alone Ivan Barbashev, who sniped the top right corner over Shesterkin’s glove side.
One shot later, the Blues took the lead.
Colton Parayko dished the puck to O’Reilly, who was parked directly behind Shesterkin. O’Reilly found David Perron on the right side, who snapped the puck off a tee to take the lead with 16 seconds to go in the period, lasting through the buzzer.
The momentum flipped again though, as a difficult third period for the Blues resulted in a 5-3 loss.
“(The Rangers) upped their intensity in the third and had us on our heels,” said Blues Head Coach Craig Berube. “We played two real good periods, but we have to close that out.”
Three straight losses to non-playoff teams following that night in New York has given the Blues all the more reason to try and turn things around in the Thursday night rematch.
“We know we can beat this team,” said O’Reilly. “It’s gonna be tough, but it’s a full 60 (minutes) that I think we’re all looking forward to.”
The stage is set this Thursday at Enterprise Center, with the Blues hungry to avenge last week’s loss while also righting the ship on home ice.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Ryan O’Reilly, whose defense and playmaking have remained strong despite the Blues’ current slide. O’Reilly recorded a goal and an assist in the 5-3 loss at Madison Square Garden, bringing his career total to 14 points in 20 games against the Rangers.
RANGERS Chris Kreider, whose League-leading 18th power-play goal on the season proved the game winner in New York last week. The 30-year-old forward has matched his career high with 53 points thus far, and his 38 goals rank second in the League.
