The St. Louis Blues (30-27-6) were in town for the second game of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Kings (31-20-9). The Kings previously lost to the Blues in a 4-1 regulation, making tonight's matchup a chance to capitalize on a win and secure two points. Jordan Binnington led the St. Louis out while Darcy Kuemper guarded the net for Los Angeles. The Kings currently rank third in the Pacific Division while the Blues rank fifth in the Central, with one point away from wildcard.
First Period Action
Puck drop began and the Kings seemed determined to set the pace. Both the Blues and Los Angeles battled for control of the puck, setting the tone for the goaltenders to make crucial saves. Robert Thomas won the first face-off of the game against Phil Danault, but nothing came of it. St. Louis had an opportunity to get a shot on goal, but Kuemper didn't budge. As the two teams searched for an advantage, neither goalie succumbed, resulting in an opening period that lacked goals, but not action. In the last minute of the first twenty minutes, Jake Neighbours scored a backhand, as the Blues led 1-0 Kings. Los Angeles wasted no time. Moments later, Quinton Byfield responded quickly with a wrist shot, tying the game 1-1.
Second Period Ends With a Tie
With the Kings and Blues tied 1-1, the middle frame was underway. After back-and-forth action of puck control, at the 9:46 mark, Trevor Moore gave the team the boost they needed with a tip-in goal, his twelfth of the season. The Kings worked relentlessly to find the back of the net. As the period winded down, with 47 seconds remaining, Robert Thomas netted his seventeenth of the season, bringing the Blues to a tie once again. The teams left the ice, with the third promising to deliver the winner.
It’s a Make or Break Period
Back for the final twenty, an intense showdown awaited. Adrian Kempe and Danault each tried Binnington, but the goaltender made the saves in quick movements. Throughout the third period, St. Louis's netminder repeatedly denied the home team's shots. However, the Blues had more shots on net than Los Angeles throughout 60 minutes of hockey as they outshot the Kings 28-19. As the clock winded down to zero, overtime would decide the outcome.
Extra Time
Tied 2-2, the game anticipated an overtime winner. Danault's breakaway attempt slipped past the post as yet again, another potential goal was refused. With no luck on either side, the game was headed to a shootout. Kempe was the first, but his attempt was rejected. Neighbours, who netted a goal earlier, scored into Kuemper's net. Moore had an opportunity to tie, however was denied. Brayden Schenn's attempt was then stopped. Kevin Fiala scored, breaking the shootout drought. Thomas netted the game-winning goal with a wrist shot, bringing two points to St. Louis as the Kings were handed another 3-2 loss.