The Toronto Post A Consolidated News Source
The St. Louis Blues escaped Honda Center with a thrilling 6-5 shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. The game was a roller coaster of emotions, featuring a dominant Blues start, a relentless Ducks comeback, and a dramatic shootout to decide the winner.
NHL Highlights Blues vs Ducks. April 7, 2024
The Blues wasted no time getting on the board. Just 11 seconds into the game, rookie defenseman Jake Walman capitalized on a defensive breakdown by the Ducks to score the opening goal. St. Louis extended their lead in the second period with goals from Robert Thomas and Nikita Nesterov.
However, the Ducks refused to go down without a fight. They capitalized on a St. Louis power play penalty to score a shorthanded goal through Trevor Zegras. This sparked a comeback effort, with goals from Matthew Kessel, Rickard Rakell, and Leo Carlson pulling Anaheim even in the third period.
The Blues responded with two quick goals of their own, from Braden Shen and Robert Bortno, to regain the lead. But the Ducks wouldn’t be denied. Frank Vatrano scored with just 3.2 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
The overtime period failed to produce a winner, setting the stage for a dramatic shootout. Both teams traded goals early, but Jordan Binnington proved to be the hero for St. Louis. He stopped three of four Anaheim attempts, including a clutch save on Trevor Terry in the final round, to secure the victory for the Blues.
This win was a significant one for the Blues. Despite squandering a multi-goal lead, they showed resilience by battling back in the shootout. Robert Thomas had a strong performance with a goal and two assists, while Jordan Binnington’s heroics in the shootout secured the extra point.
For the Ducks, the loss was a heartbreaking one. They battled back from a significant deficit and had a chance to steal the win in regulation. However, they were ultimately undone by Binnington stellar play in the shootout. This game showcased the bright future of the young Ducks team, but also highlighted the need for consistency throughout all 60 minutes.
