Opening night in St. Louis, as in most cities, always has special meaning. But for the opening of the Blues’ 2015-16 season, the arrival of the NHL’s next generational star provided additional significance. Connor McDavid, anointed the NHL’s next superstar, took to the ice with his Edmonton Oilers’ teammates. St. Louis promptly dispatched them in a 3-1 victory before heading to a six-game road trip.
Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was credited with the game’s first goal after Blues’ defenseman Alex Pietrangelo’s clear off the draw in his own zone went off teammate Kevin Shattenkirk and past goaltender Brian Elliott. That was the only bright spot in the Oilers’ night.
A little more than nine minutes into the middle frame, Vladimir Tarasenko lit the lamp for St. Louis after receiving a slick pass from Pietrangelo. The newly-minted superstar went in all alone on Edmonton goaltender Cam Talbot and snapped a wrister through his legs to tie the game.
The game remained knotted until just more than nine minutes into the third period when rookie Robby Fabbri netted the first goal of his NHL career. Line mate Jori Lehtera corralled a pass to the side of the Edmonton goal and sent a behind-the-back pass to a streaking Fabbri who wristed the puck past Talbot to put the Blues ahead 2-1.
Newcomer Troy Brouwer, acquired from Washington in the T.J. Oshie trade, cemented victory for the home team.
McDavid finished his first NHL game with 2 shots and 18:07 of ice time, 1:45 of it on the power play. His lasting blemish from the game was in the face-off statistics where he won just 3 of 13 draws (23%). He was on the ice for the empty net goal.
While the Blues’ veteran group performed as expected, it was the St. Louis rookies who stepped in and made solid contributions in their first appearance.
Fabbri not only scored the game winning goal, but had 3 hits and played 10:38 in his first game. His speed and constant nuzzling on the forecheck hemmed the Oilers defense in their zone to the point where turnover led to chances while he was on the ice.
The two rookie defensemen for St. Louis also contributed. Colton Parayko has 3 shots, 2 hits and 16:43 of ice time, 1:48 with the man advantage. Joel Edmundson established himself among his teammates with his second-period tussle. The 6’4”, 207 lb. Edmundson took issue with Edmonton’s Eric Gryba taking liberties on Steve Ott and delivered quite a message to his teammates and the St. Louis fans. He also had three hits during his 12:29 of ice time.
The Blues gained support across all four lines including 2 assists from Jaden Schwartz. Troy Brouwer led the team in shots with 5 while captain David Backes, Alex Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk each had 4. Balance throughout the ranks will keep the Blues among the NHL’s top teams during the season.
Blues goaltender Brian Elliott was pressured sporadically on opening night stopping 23 of 24 shots. He kept his team in the game when Edmonton snipers put pressure on the St. Louis net in the first period and during two power plays later in the game.
Edmonton’s McDavid was held to two shots in 18:07 of ice time, 1:47 on the power play, and was a -1 rating (only due to the late, empty net goal).
For the Blues, there is rarely a concern during the regular season as they have ranked among the top teams the last four seasons. It is how they respond in the post-season. There is a long way to go to prove their mettle in game #83, but for now, the team looks good in game #1.
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