Predators Pick Their Spots and Sink the Blues 5-2
Nashville spent much of Saturday night without the puck and still won comfortably, 5-2 over St. Louis, because its looks were simply better. The Blues fired far more pucks toward the net, 57 shot attempts to 44, but a lot of that volume never got through: Nashville blocked 20 shots, and the actual shots on goal finished close, 26-24 for St. Louis.
When you weigh the chances by quality, the picture changes. Nashville's chances added up to 3.37 expected goals (roughly how many goals those looks were worth), against 2.68 for St. Louis. Five goals on that is a good finishing night, but the Predators earned their edge.
At one end, Juuse Saros stopped 24 of 26, including six of eight from in tight. At the other, Jordan Binnington saw a heavier diet of dangerous looks, facing 12 from close range, and allowed 5 goals on 24 shots.
The scoring was spread around. Ryan O'Reilly scored on 4 shots, and Filip Forsberg and Steven Stamkos, his linemates, each had two points. Roman Josi and Adam Wilsby, who played together, added two assists apiece. Jack Drury and Jonathan Marchessault also scored.
The score could have been even more lopsided. Jayden Struble rang the iron twice for Nashville, and Mason McTavish hit it once for St. Louis. Both teams scored once on the power play, though the Blues got five chances to Nashville's one.
Both clubs remain in the playoff race. St. Louis falls to 3-3-1.
