Game 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs was off to a wild start on Saturday as the Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen and Mattias Janmark, along with St. Louis Blues’ Colton Parayko, combined for three goals in under two minutes.
Game 1 Recap
Just a couple of days ago, these two representatives of the Central Division met for Game 1 in St. Louis. Missed opportunities mixed with a couple of easier-than-normal goals for the Stars netminder to let up allowed the Blues to take a 3-2 victory after 60 minutes, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.
Despite outshooting the Blues 29-20, Calder trophy candidate, Jordan Binnington, stood up strong for his team and kept the Stars at bay.
Series starts out at 1-0 Blues.
Game 2 Recap
The Stars needed to get off to a fast start coming into this game today, and that they did.
Roope Hintz is the first to strike in this game; the benefactor of a pump-fake, juke move in the corner followed by a perfect pass by Mats Zuccarello.
6:28 farther into the first period, Dallas would pounce again with a 4-on-4 opportunity. This time, it’s Hintz delivering a perfect dish to fellow countryman, Miro Heiskanen, who was driving towards the net, took the puck backhand to forehand and buried it past Binnington for his second goal of the playoffs.
Miro Heiskanen, puts in for the Stars’ second goal in the first period against the St. Louis Blues, bringing the Stars to 2-0 leadThe Blues would not have to wait long to give their response to this goal. 46 seconds later, Colton Parayko gets a good quick shot from the point through a sea of hockey players, and it eludes Ben Bishop.
Colton Parayko sends in a quick shot past Stars goalie, Ben Bishop, bringing the score to 2-1.But the goals just kept on coming. With only 26 seconds passing since Parayko’s goal, and with some time still remaining on the 4-on-4, the Stars got another 2-on-1 chance with Dickinson and Janmark. After a couple passes on their drive to the net, it’s Mattias Janmark with his first goal of the playoffs.
Shots were an even 10-10 after the first 20 minutes of play, but the Stars were able to cash in on more of their opportunities, something they had struggled to do in Game 1.
That Penalty Box Though
Dallas ended up with a player in the penalty box four times during the first period.
While both goaltenders kept their nets clean in the second period, Dallas continued to get into some penalty trouble.
After the second period, Dallas had made 6 trips to the penalty box. The Blues started to put on the pressure in the second, outshooting the Stars 14-7 during the middle frame. Ben Bishop stood even taller than he already is, keeping his team ahead 3-1 going into the third period.
Not even 2 minutes into the third period, Jaden Schwartz deflects a shot from a teammate on the point and brings the game within one. No more goals would be scored, despite a high third period shot count of 18-10 in favor of the Dallas Stars, until Roope Hintz scores from a good distance away, making it a 4-2 Stars win. The series is now tied 1-1.
What to Expect for Game 3
With Game 3 back in Dallas, take note of the significance one key player could make here, and if not in Game 3, definitely in Game 4.
Jamie Benn has an illuminated career against the Blues, especially when playing them at the American Airlines Center. Look for him to get involved in the offense, and if it goes into overtime, Jamie Benn has a good history of scoring in overtime against the Blues at home as well.
Another player to keep eyes on is Roope Hintz. He is turning into a point-per-game star right before our eyes. His continued success may have a direct impact on how long of a Summer vacation the Stars players get, but ultimately, the shorter the Summer, the better.
Game 3 will be Monday at 7:00 PM CT.
