Hockey can be a cruel game. You can dominate in every statistic, win every puck battle, get all the right saves yet still lose.
Much of that can be said about the Stars in their Game 2 overtime loss to the Blues. Even though they dropped into a 3-1 hole after the first period, Dallas held the edge in shots and overall play through most of the game. Only in the second and overtime periods did the Blues outshoot the Stars by a tally of 18-11. The rest of the time was owned by the Stars and their 23-7 advantage.
The Stars looked better through most of the game, outside of the final 15 minutes of the first and the overtime goal that lead to the 4-3 loss. It's certainly a deflating feeling, especially considering Dallas fought their way back with a two-goal third period, just to lose in overtime.
Even more so that they allowed two power play goals and lost on a bone-headed penalty on an offensive zone chance.
Roussel interference pic.twitter.com/OMs1QS89nx
— Shane O'Donnell (@shane1342o) May 1, 2016
Antoine Roussel was the offender of the interference penalty that put the Blues on a power play that ended the match. Many believed the officials could have swallowed their whistles, but it's clear Roussel cuts off a defender without the puck on a Stars scoring chance. He may have done so while trying to avoid an offside call, but when you've already committed two penalties in the game before that, calls aren't going to go your way.
It's a bad way to lose, and the Stars know it. Especially after their rally that got them there in the first place. Instead of taking a 2-0 series lead into St. Louis, the series is tied heading into a unfriendly barn for the next two games.
Even with the loss, the Stars have to be feeling good about their general play. The Blues have yet to show they're able to contain the explosive Stars offense in key situations. While the Stars will have to tone down the penalties through the rest of the series, the Blues have much more work to do.
Scores
Blues 4, Stars 3 (OT)
Sharks 3, Predators 2
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3 things we learned
1. The Blues had a pretty good shooting percentage in the first period
How good, you ask?
3 goals on 5 shots. That's like a Steph Curry percentage. @KSDKSports @StLouisBlues
— Frank Cusumano (@Frank_Cusumano) May 1, 2016
Good enough to chase Kari Lehtonen from the net in favor of Antti Niemi, and look like the stat line of one of the NBA's biggest stars.
2. Pekka Rinne was locked in
The Predators netminder didn't see as much action as Martin Jones, as Nashville outshot San Jose 39-25 in the loss.
Even so, Rinne may have put down the best save in the series on this sliding toe stop.
Pekka Rinne, how about it #Preds #SJS: pic.twitter.com/i6t3PCZ0qr
— Mark Harris (@MCHisTweeting) May 2, 2016
Though it didn't matter in the end, what a stop it was.
3. The Sharks once again rallied in the third
A Predators goal was all but assured in their game against the Sharks with the way Nashville was pressing. It was a matter of time, but the score came with seven minutes to play in the game to tie the match 1-1. But, much like Game 1, the Sharks found a gear the Predators could not match to score two straight and take Game 2 by a score of 3-2.
The Predators now take the series back home, but unless they can match the Sharks drive, this series will turn quickly against them.
Impact Moment
Brian Elliott had his contact lens knocked out of his eye after taking a shot off his mask!
Let us all be thankful for goalie masks.
Tweets from Tony
Remember Tony, AKA @soloucity on Twitter, who fell in love with hockey during the Blues/Blackhawks Game 7? We're dedicating a section in our recaps to the gems of his Twitter account during the playoffs.
dudes just take penalties just to get a quick 2 min breather .... i know i would
— Tony X. (@soIoucity) May 1, 2016
Stat of the Night
On his 32nd birthday, #stlblues David Backes scores his 2nd game-winning goal of the 2016 Playoffs.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 1, 2016
Happy Birthday!
