Nothing helps a goalie controversy like a dismal loss.
On Tuesday, the Blues dropped a 7-4 decision to the visiting Florida Panthers.
After tight opening frame that ended at 2-2, the Panthers scored three straight to break it open and head into the third period with a 5-3 lead.
James Reimer made 26 saves in 7-4 Florida win over Blues Tuesday night – file photo courtesy of Brent Clark/Pro Hockey News
Jake Allen was in the Blues’ net for five goals, again, and was given the hook in the middle frame.
“Jake’s going through a hard time right now,” Blues head coach Mike Yeo said. “Let’s be honest. I think he had a good start to the game and next thing you know we’re doing some things that put him in a bad position.”
Allen is indeed in trouble, going 1-8-0 in his last nine starts.
The offense was led by Vincent Trocheck‘s two goals
Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov, Colton Sceviour (shorthanded), and Radim Vrbata also scored for the Panthers.
“I liked the way we played. I liked our bite tonight. I think we were down 2-0 and we never thought we were out of it,” Panthers head coach Bob Boughner said, “We put our heads down and we worked hard. We grinded, we were physical and you know we showed up. We had a good response, and I’m proud of the team and the effort they showed. It’s not an easy building against a good hockey team to get two points out of here.” –
St Louis had a 2-0 lead in the first period off goals from Aaron Ekblad and Colton Parayko but could not hold back the Panthers after that.
“I think it was quite a bit of a lackadaisical start, but after that, I think once we kind of woke up a little bit, it was a hard-fought effort,” Trocheck said. “Everybody came together, a couple big [penalty] kills. We just played the right way tonight.”
James Reimer made 26 saves to pick another win for the Panthers who improved to 18-18-6.
“I think sometimes we panic too much and today we were down two goals and we came back, and that’s what the team needs to do. I think it was a character win, and that’s what we’ve got to do more often,” Huberdeau said after the game.
Tage Thompson and Vladimir Tarasenko also scored for the Blues.
[WATCH:Â All Panthers vs. Blues highlights]
Carter Hutton. finished the game for the Blues.
“I thought they played harder than us tonight, plain and simple,” the Blues’ Alexander Steen said. “They worked harder for 60 minutes, they deserved (to win).”
Hutton made 11 saves and yielded one goal in his mop-up time for the Blues.
“Obviously the second period, we know that that’s not the level that Jake can play at,” Yeo said. “Going into every game expecting Jake to play what we saw last year. That’s who he is, but we also have to help him out too. That was disturbing tonight.”
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