Without Jake Allen in the St Louis Blues’ net, their match with the Red Wings in Detroit might well have been much closer than the 6-1 Blues win would indicate.
Jake Allen saved the Blues in 6-1 win over Detroit Saturday afternoon – file photo courtesy of Lewis Bleiman
Allen made 28 saves, many following Blues’ defensive lapses or breakdowns to get the win.
The victory, their third straight, moved the Blues to 20-8-2 on the season.
The lost Jaden Schwartz in the second period to an injury; he did score the first goal of the game for the Blues as six different skaters struck for St Louis.s
Schwartz stopped a puck in the second period.
“The X-rays were negative but he’s very sore,” Blues head coach Mike Yeo said. “We’ll see how he’s feeling when we get home tonight.”
Vladimir Sobotka, Scottie Upshall, Jay Bouwmeester, Dmitrij Jaskin and Brayden Schenn all had goals for the Blues who led 4-0 before the Wings got on the board.
“We lost Jaden early, which meant a lot of guys got a chance to play extra shifts,” Yeo said. “I was happy to see how many of them stepped up, and a few guys who played hard got rewarded with goals.”
Frans Nielsen was the lone goal scorer for Detroit.
“Obviously no one wants to lose 6-1, but if we keep playing the way we did in the first two periods tonight, we’ll win games,” Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill said. “We got great pressure and created chances, but Jake Allen was great and their shots went in.”
The Wings were stoned by Allen but their defensive play was the real reason for the loss as they let the Blues buzz the net without a push back.
“We didn’t like the score, but we did some really good things tonight,” Nielsen said. “I’m a big believer that over 82 games you will get the results you deserve.”
[WATCH: All Blues vs. Red Wings highlights]
Jimmy Howard got the start for Detroit and faced 10 shots while yielding four goals through two periods.
“I’ve got to find a way to make more saves,” Howard said. “The rest of our guys did their jobs, and I have to start doing mine.”
At least two of the goals he allowed Howard did not move a muscle, seemingly not seeing the puck leave the stick at all.
“I am not worried about Jimmy Howard in the least. He’s been at the top of his game all year, but every goalie has a night where they hit the corner with every shot and pucks go in off a skate or a stick. He’s fine,” Blashill said after the loss.
Petr Mrazek mopped up in the third period and made 10 saves nd gave up two goals.
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