The three-game sweep starts in Toronto where the Leafs’ season continues its march to oblivion. This has now become a campaign of who can play the poorest and still find ice time. And Phil Kessel remains our number one candidate for that honor.
On Saturday, six different Blues scored in St Louis’ 6-1 thumping of the woeful Leafs.
“I liked the way we played tonight,” St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said. “We have played some of our best hockey recently and not gotten points, so it was nice to play some good hockey and get points. There was a little bit of a lull at the start of the third period, but for the most part I thought we kept our foot on the gas for most of the game and made them defend for more than they wanted to.”
How do you not play well against a team with such little push back?
Jaden Schwartz, T.J. Oshie, and Vladimir Tarasenko scored in the first to give the Blues a 3-0 lead after twenty.
“You don’t want to give those guys that shot from the top of the circle,” Hitchcock said. “They can both score from distance and it’s accurate. Both Schwartz and Tarasenko use screens as well as anyone in the NHL.”
Chris Butler made it 4-0 early in the second on a shorthanded goal and Paul Stastny’s power play goal made it 5-0 before the end of the second.
“I think there was no effort,” Maple Leafs coach Peter Horachek said. “We didn’t win any of the 50-50 battles, we didn’t compete hard, we didn’t forecheck, we didn’t keep the puck in the offensive zone. Playing from behind and chasing the game is not a good way to play. There were small little push-backs, but it just wasn’t enough.”
David Booth got the Leafs on the board in the third before David Backes finished off the scoring.
“That wasn’t the effort that guys should accept,” Booth said. “That was frustrating. If you don’t come to compete against a team like that, they’ll pick you apart, and that’s what they did.”
Brian Elliott stopped 23 in win over Leafs – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Brian Elliott made 23 saves in the win.
In Tampa, the Lightning edged the Dallas Stars, 5-4, Saturday. With the Stars leading heading into the third, the Bolts reeled off goals from Alex Killorn, Victor Hedman and Brian Boyle to take a 5-3 lead.
“We came out more aggressive [in the third period] and tried to create a lot of chances and we scored two quick goals,” Hedman said. “We created turnovers and did a good job of moving the puck to make those things happen.”
Anton Stralman and Nikita Kucherov also scored for Tampa.
“I think we had opportunities; we had three Grade A ones and we haven’t been able to put it in the back of the basket,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “We’ve hit posts, we’ve hit goaltenders … it’s tough.”
Tyler Seguin was back in the Stars’ lineup after missing 10 games with a sprained kneed and scored twice.
“Same story. … We can talk as much as we want but … you [can’t] give away wins, and that’s what we did again tonight,” Seguin said. “It’s on all of us in here. There aren’t any excuses for it. It’s just tough to swallow.”
Turnovers were the demise of the Stars Saturday as the Bolts took advantage of each.
“We turned the pucks over, and they took advantage of their opportunities,” Stars forward Jamie Benn said. “They have such good offensive power and they showed it tonight.”
In Sunrise, the Florida Panthers hosted the New York Islanders; each team chasing something.
For the Panthers, the chase for a post season berth and they took a huge step Saturday with a 4-3 shoot out win.
For the Isles, the chase is for the top spot in the east.
Dan Ellis got the start in net for the Panthers and made 25 saves through extra time and stopped all three Isles shooters in the skills competition.
“It’s just nice to be able to win,” said Ellis, who made 25 saves. “I mean, it’s taken me seven games to be able to do that, to contribute at all. Last year I wasn’t the goalie that I wanted to be for this team. I stepped into a great situation here where I’ve had a chance to play. I got to play a lot down in San Antonio (of the American Hockey League) and I just want to contribute any way I can. It’s nice to be able to get three points so far.”
Florida had not been successful of late in their talent show have lost six of the last seven.
“Ellis played great,” center Nick Bjugstad said. “Big shootout win. We haven’t won very many shootouts lately. It’s good to have Ellis come in here and step up and Huberdeau get a good shootout goal.”
Jonathan Huberdeau scored in the first round of the shootout for the Panthers to get the win.
Newly acquired Michal Neuvirth took the loss for the Islanders.
“Totally different game, very tough mentally,” Neuvirth said. “[I] just couldn’t get into the game and into my rhythm. It was a tough game to play.”
“I was happy,” Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. “A total performance from 20 guys that battled hard and that’s how it’s going to have to be. We’ve got 16 games left and we have to play hard, compete hard, and get a chance to win.
“[We’ve got] some days off, we still have a few guys with the flu. It gives us time to get back and hopefully get everybody healthy for Thursday. Willie coming back is real big for our team, we’re hoping for (Luongo) on Thursday. A perfect time for the break.”
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